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Thanasi Kokkinakis stuns Roger Federer at 2018 Miami Open

By Harry Floyd

KEY BISCAYNE, FL - MARCH 24: Roger Federer of Switzerland meets Thanasi Kokkinakis of Australia at the net after he was defeated in three sets during Day 6 of the Miami Open at the Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 24, 2018 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
KEY BISCAYNE, FL - MARCH 24: Roger Federer of Switzerland meets Thanasi Kokkinakis of Australia at the net after he was defeated in three sets during Day 6 of the Miami Open at the Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 24, 2018 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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Roger Federer is stunned by 21-year-old Thanasi Kokkinakis at the 2018 Miami Open. Federer also announces that he will skip the clay season.

After winning the Australian Open and a title at Rotterdam, Roger Federer sees a surprising upset at the hands of Australian tennis player Thanasi Kokkinakis in Miami. Entering as the defending champion at the Miami Open and new world No. 1, there were high expectations for Federer. His only loss on the year up until then was in the finals at Indian Wells. Juan Martin del Potro dethroned him in a finals for the ages.

Kokkinakis fought back to earn his victory over the Swiss great, winning both of the final two sets. He defeats Federer 3-6 6-3 7-6 (7-4) in order to advance. The loss will also thrust Rafael Nadal back into the world No. 1 ranking in men’s singles.

The young Australian moves on and faces Fernando Verdasco next at the Miami Open. Kokkinakis is searching for his first career ATP singles title. He will need to carry this spectacular momentum into his next match if he hopes to continue on at the event.

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Roger Federer announces that he will skip the clay court season.

Seeing two losses in less than a week, Federer also confirmed that he will skip the upcoming clay court season. That means that new world No. 1 Nadal must be considered the heavy favorite for the upcoming months. The big thing though, is whether or not Nadal will be healthy and ready to go. He is currently rehabbing and recovering from a leg injury. Thinking he could return in Mexico last month, Nadal was advised by his team and doctors to remain away from competitive action. All eyes are on his return in the coming days. One must think that a healthy Nadal feels right at home at the French Open. Last year, he completed ‘La Decima’ and won his tenth career title at Roland Garros. The Grand Slam event has typically been his to lose.

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Along with the young Thanasi Kokkinakis, several top seeded players continue on at the Miami Open. Second seed Marin Cilic advances and faces American John Isner next. Alexander Zverev, Hyeon Chung, and Jack Sock also remain alive. The other major upset was Grigor Dimitrov, seeing a loss to French tennis player Jeremy Chardy.

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