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WILDCARD: Nick Kyrgios is hoping to meet Roger Federer in Brisbane. Source: Getty Images
AUSTRALIAN Open junior champion Nick Kyrgios hopes his wildcard into this summer's Brisbane International brings him a match against Roger Federer.
Kyrgios, 18, and Japan's world No.17 Kei Nishikori will play at the Brisbane International, joining confirmed entrants Federer and Lleyton Hewitt.Canberra right-hander Kyrgios won the Australian Open junior title without dropping a set, and then took advantage of a French Open main draw wildcard to defeat wily Czech Radek Stepanek, the 2009 Brisbane International champion.
"I saw his match against David Ferrer at the US Open after he had won his way through qualifying and I was really impressed with his big game temperament,'' tournament director Cameron Pearson said.
"He looked at home against the world No.3. He can have a really exciting summer and I know Pat Rafter has big wraps on him.''
Far from being daunted by the thought of playing Federer at the Queensland Tennis Centre in the December 29-January 5 tournament, Kyrgios said a match against the 17-time Grand Slam title winner would be something no one could take away from him.
"You're going to keep that for the rest of your life, playing Roger Federer, and you will get an amazing amount of confidence from it," Kyrgios said.
Andy Murray's plans are the subject of fresh intrigue with the Wimbledon champion's coach Ivan Lendl telling reporters in London this week that he expected Murray "to be in Melbourne … in tip-top shape and tip-top form".
Murray had back surgery in August and will decide in the coming week whether he plays the first match of his comeback at an exhibition tournament in Barbados late this month.
Murray would need lead-up tournaments to play the Australian Open, with Doha or Brisbane his options for the first week of the season.
One report suggested Murray would ask for a wildcard to Brisbane if he was ready to play.
"We had heard nothing (from his agents) in the last month or so, so if Andy wants to play Brisbane he is more than welcome to,'' Pearson said.
"I know he was quoted if he doesn't feel he can win the Australian Open he won't play, but all the signs are he is ahead of schedule, so I would expect him to be on the court for a lead-up tournament and then the Australian Open.''
Nishikori, 23, will make a third consecutive appearance in Brisbane.
Nishikori's entry locks in a massive Japanese television audience for the Brisbane tournament, at which he was a semi-finalist last summer.
"All his matches in Brisbane will live telecasts into Japan. That happens wherever he plays in the world as he is one of Japan's most popular athletes,'' Pearson said.
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07 Nov, 2013
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Source: http://www.news.com.au/sport/tennis/nick-kyrgios-hopes-to-clash-with-roger-federer-at-brisbane-international/story-fndkzym4-1226755610075?from=public_rss
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