Match Point Teamwork: Kyrgios Asks D.C. Fans, Where Should I Serve?

Guests on the hit game show “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?” could “phone a friend” if a question stumped them. Nick Kyrgios, when serving on match point, uses “ask a fan”.

For the second match in a row on Saturday night, Kyrgios, before stepping to the line to serve on match point, asked a fan where he should direct his serve.

And for the second consecutive match, the strategy worked as Kyrgios belted a first serve out wide to Stefanos Tsitsipas and then smacked a forehand winner to move into the Citi Open final in Washington, D.C, his second ATP 500 title match of the season (Acapulco, d. Zverev).

Kyrgios and his clutch adviser celebrated with a strong handshake on Saturday night, which was a more muted celebration than the one Kyrgios and his female coach shared on Friday evening.

Before serving on match point against Slovakian Norbert Gombos, Kyrgios asked a fan, “Where should I serve this one?” He followed her advice, sliding an ace out wide on the Deuce Court as Gombos was leaning toward the T.

Kyrgios jogged back to his coach, who kissed the Aussie on the cheek and hugged him.

More On Kyrgios In Washington
Watch: Kyrgios Fist Bumps Fans In Celebration
Watch: Match Point Assist: Kyrgios Asks A Fan For Advice In Washington SF
Watch: Kyrgios Doubles As Shoe Delivery Man In D.C.

“I feel like it’s very easy when someone just tells you where to serve. I feel like you just go all in on that spot and try to hit the spot. That’s all you’re focusing on,” Kyrgios told ATPTour.com on Saturday night. “It’s worked two days in a row. Hopefully I get the chance to do it tomorrow. “

Kyrgios also sought some fan support earlier in his semi-final against Tsitsipas. The 24-year-old cooly sliced a backhand volley to go up 4-2 in the opening set, and the Aussie shared fist bumps with fans as he walked to the back of the court.

Kyrgios will face Russian Daniil Medvedev in Sunday’s final as the Aussie goes for his first Citi Open title. Fans in the front row will want to pay extra attention should the match rest on Kyrgios’ racquet, although it’s not as if the Aussie has needed any extra help this week in the U.S. capital. Through five matches, he has hit 93 aces and dropped only one set.