Even Nick Kyrgios laughed and shook his head at this Roger Federer shot

By ADAM ZAGORIA

Even Nick Kyrgios had to laugh and shake his head at this shot by Roger Federer.

Among Federer’s 51 winners during his 6-4, 6-1, 7-5 rout of Kyrgios during their third-round match at the US Open was this jaw-dropping flick around the net post off a drop shot.

“I actually didn’t think of it until I hit it,” Federer said on-court.

“Hitting the ball around the net post, it really only happens on a center court this size. In the past, I’ve gotten opportunities to hit around the net post, you go for it. I actually thought today I wasn’t going to get it, so I was just happy to get it. You have to squeeze it over the net somehow. It was definitely a bit of luck, but also good feet. I guess I deserved it. I went for it so that was good.”

Are
……You
…………Serious?@rogerfederer delivers the shot of the tournament!

Sit back and enjoy…#USOpen pic.twitter.com/6GEdG2CcpW

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2018

The outcome might very well have been decided with Federer serving at 3-all, love-40, less than 20 minutes in. He saved four break points in that game — and then never faced another.

In the 30th-seeded Kyrgios’ previous match, the chair umpire climbed down from his seat to have a chat with the Australian’s seeming lack of effort. There was no such visit during this match.

The No. 2-seeded Federer has won five of his record 20 Grand Slam titles at Flushing Meadows, but his most recent U.S. Open trophy arrived a decade ago.

He’ll face 55th-ranked John Millman of Australia next. It’s the first time Millman has reached the fourth round at any major tournament.

“I’m a big fan of John,” Federer said. “Maybe not that many people know him, but he’s a real hard-working guy.”

Always a pleasure talking @usopen with the great @OvermyerTV.

We’ll be on WLNY at 10 pm Saturday and CBS-2 at 11 pm Sunday covering Serena, Fed, Rafa and the controversies of the 1st week. pic.twitter.com/wnWGRFrNvJ

— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) September 1, 2018

(Photo: AP; The AP contributed)

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