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Australian Open victim reveals sad fallout to Roger Federer 'miracle'

Tennys Sandgren has opened up about the sad aftermath of his near-miss against Roger Federer at the Australian Open.

Federer stunned the tennis world in a ‘miracle’ quarter-final victory over Sandgren at Melbourne Park, coming back from two-sets-to-one down and saving seven match points.

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It would have been the biggest win of the American’s career, but he couldn’t complete the job.

Sandgren has since opened up about how he reacted to the devastating loss, saying he feels like he’s “holding on like on a raft in the middle of the ocean.”

Roger Federer, pictured here after narrowly beating Tennys Sandgren at the Australian Open.
Roger Federer narrowly beat Tennys Sandgren at the Australian Open. (Photo by Chaz Niell/Getty Images)

“I don’t take losses particularly well in general, that one being extremely difficult. It’s still a loss and I’m still familiar with the downward emotional spike from a tough loss like that,” he told the ATP website ahead of the New York Open.

“It was just holding on to the important stuff and realising that it’s just one match.

“Hopefully I’ll have another look and if not, oh well, too bad. I tried my best.

"There’s not much else you could do other than that and hope it works out for you.”

Federer gave tennis fans yet another reason to love him after the epic against-the-odds victory.

Hampered by a groin injury, the six-time champion appeared headed for a shock exit before rallying for a miraculous 6-3 2-6 2-6 7-6 (10-8) 6-3 victory.

Roger Federer, pictured here shaking hands with Tennys Sandgren after their Australian Open clash.
Roger Federer shakes hands with Tennys Sandgren after their Australian Open clash. (Photo by Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

But rather than revel in his own incredible victory, Federer pointed out how unfortunate Sandgren was to have lost, in a true mark of his character.

“I think I got incredibly lucky today,” the Swiss star said.

“I was just hoping that maybe he was not going to smash the winner on that one point.

“As the match went on I started to feel better again, all the pressure went away and I just tried to play.

“I don’t deserve this one but I’m standing here and I’m obviously very, very happy.”

Kyrgios withdraws from New York Open

Meanwhile, Nick Kyrgios has pulled out of the New York Open because of a shoulder injury.

Kyrgios had moved back into the top 20 of the ATP rankings this week for the first time since August 2018 after a fourth-round appearance in the Australian Open, where he lost to top-seeded Rafael Nadal.

He was set to make his first appearance in the tournament on Long Island but announced Saturday that his shoulder had flared up and that he was unable to play.

John Isner is the top seed in next week's tournament, which includes second-seeded Milos Raonic and Sandgren.

with Associated Press