Kokkinakis became the lowest-ranked player to defeat a reigning No.1 in 15 years by defeating World No.1 Federer, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(4), booking his spot in the third round at the Miami Open and sending the draw into disarray. Kokkinakis ranked 175th in the world who needed a wildcard just to get into qualifying, had spent time training with Federer in Dubai, and says the experience might have helped him know Federer's tendencies and know what type of pace to expect from the Swiss.
"Maybe Dubai helped a little bit to know what he likes to do," he said. Kokkinakis struck 7 aces and saved four of five break points on the day, winning 44 of 57 first-serve points. He was not broken in the second or third sets, saving all three break points he faced in those stanzas.
“It's disappointing,” Federer told reporters after the match. “Don't know why I could never get to any level that I was happy with today. Sometimes you have these matches. Sometimes you find a way through. I just couldn't get it done today."
Federer, who won his 20th Grand Slam crown at the Australian Open, regained the No. 1 spot in February after winning the ATP title in Rotterdam but needed to reach the quarterfinals to remain at the summit.
Instead he’ll be replaced by Spain’s Rafael Nadal when the rankings are released at the end of the tournament. The Swiss also announced that he won’t go for a 21st Grand Slam title at the French Open and will skip the clay-court season.
Important results:
Men (second round): Thanasi Kokkinakis bt Roger Federer 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(4); Tomas Berdych bt Yoshihito Nishioka 6-1, 6-4; Nick Kyrgios bt Dusan Lajovic 6-4, 6-1; Jack Sock bt Yuki Bhambri 6-3, 7-6(3).
Women (third round): Agnieszka Radwanska bt Simona Halep 3-6, 6-2, 6-3; Victoria Azarenka bt Anastasija Sevastova 3-6, 6-4, 6-1; Karolina Pliskova bt Hsieh Su-Wei 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(4); Garbine Muguruza bt Christina McHale 6-2, 6-1.
