Boris Becker among the former champions defending Nick Kyrgios after Miami crowd booing

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Mirka Federer heckles Kyrgios0:42

Tennis: Nick Kyrgios gets jeered by Rodger Federer's wife during their Miami Open semi-final.

• April 1st 2017
• a day ago
• /video/video.news.com.au/Sport/Tennis/

KEY BISCAYNE, FL - MARCH 31: Nick Kyrgios of Australia reacts in his match against Roger Federer of Switzerland in the semi finals at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 31, 2017 in Key Biscayne, Florida. Julian Finney/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

FORMER champions Chris Evert, Boris Becker and Brad Gilbert have leapt to the defence of Nick Kyrgios following the Australian firebrand’s stunning Miami Open semi-final clash with Roger Federer.

Kyrgios was booed after smashing his racquet as Federer clinched a 7-6 (11-9) 6-7 (9-11) 7-6 (7-5) thriller after an epic 3hr,10min battle.

Furious with a spectator who yelled “out” as he prepared to hit a forehand when leading the third set tiebreak 5-4, Kyrgios exploded in anger after shanking the shot to lose the rally.

“Oh my God, shut up!” he roared. “Shut the f--- up! What the f--- are you doing?”

Ok @MiamiOpen crowd, give @NickKyrgios a break... I'm hearing lots of boos for no reason...

— Chris Evert (@ChrissieEvert) April 1, 2017

When Australian Open champion Federer scrambled to victory two points later, Kyrgios swatted his racquet three times into the court.

Sympathetic to Kyrgios’ situation, Federer waited until Kyrgios began walking to the net to shake hands before celebrating by clubbing a ball into the stands.

While Kyrgios said he understood why Federer is so well supported around the world, Evert was less complimentary towards her home-town crowd.

Nick Kyrgios was subjected to a hostile reception by the Miami crowd.Source:AFP

“Ok @MiamiOpen crowd, give @NickKyrgios a break... I’m hearing lots of boos for no reason,” the 18-time grand slam singles champion said.

Former world No 4 Gilbert, who commentated on what is already dubbed the match of the year, said the crowd was unfair.

“I felt bad that so few people rooted for Cheerios Kyrgios,” he tweeted. “He gave everything he had out there tonight.

I felt bad that so few people rooted for Cheerios Kyrgios he gave everything he had out there tonight vs Fedfan

— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) April 1, 2017

“1 of the best 3 set matches I have ever sat courtside...the tension for 3hrs 10 min was simply off the off hook.”

Becker said: “It doesn’t get any better than this. We should embrace Nick Kyrgios for bringing energy, quality, youthfulness, spirit into tennis.”

Avenging 2015 defeat in Madrid, where Federer lost to Kyrgios in three tiebreaks, the Swiss advanced to his 37th clash with Rafael Nadal.

Roger Federer was pushed all the way by the Aussie with three sets going to tiebreaks.Source:AP

“It’s a great feeling to play __like this, and it was close from the beginning,” Federer said.

“He’s (Kyrgios) on such a good run, he’s such a great player, so it was a special feeling.

“I kept fighting and believing, tried to stay aggressive … it was a nailbiter and could have gone either way.”

After overcoming Fabio Fognini in his semi-final, Nadal said of Kyrgios: “He’s not the next generation. He’s the generation now.”

Kyrgios heckled by Miami crowd1:05

Tennis: Nick Kyrgios smashes his racquet against Roger Federer in the opening set of their Miami Open semi-final.

• April 1st 2017
• a day ago
• /video/video.news.com.au/Sport/Tennis/

A rueful Kyrgios said:” I think the crowd was obviously on (Roger’s side. I think I have to win a few more matches to earn that.”

Federer finessed 54 winners and made 39 unforced errors. Kyrgios produced 38 winners and 34 unforced errors.

Annoyed after being booed by the crowd for bouncing his racquet mid-match, Kyrgios again underlined his progress as a future grand slam champion.

He produced just one - ill-timed - double fault for the match, presenting Federer with a 6-5 mini-break in the decisive tiebreak.

Kyrgios will now return home for Australia’s quarter-final clash with the US in Brisbane from Friday.

Originally published as ‘Booing for no reason, give Kyrgios a break’