Australian Nick Kyrgios smacked 60 winners on Saturday while prevailing in a tense battle and upsetting fourth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7 (2), 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (7) at Wimbledon in London.
The victory allows the rambunctious Kyrgios to reach the fourth round at Wimbledon for the first time since 2016. Kyrgios improved to 4-1 all-time against Tsitsipas of Greece.
Kyrgios got riled up over a call by a linesperson at the end of the first set and stepped up his theatrics. Tsitsipas wasn’t thrilled with the distractions.
“He was getting frustrated at times,” Kyrgios said of Tsitsipas during his on-court interview. “It’s a frustrating sport, that’s for sure.”
Tsitsipas held a 21-14 edge in aces but also had more unforced errors (36-31). He recorded 57 winners.
After losing the first set, Kyrgios revved up his game and the intensity amid the Court 1 crowd soared.
“It was a hell of an atmosphere, an amazing match,” Kyrgios said. “I honestly felt like the favorite coming in. … I knew it was going to be a tough match. He’s a hell of a player.”
Kyrgios also suggested the bad rap he receives isn’t valid.
“Everywhere I go, I seem to have full stadiums,” Kyrgios said. “The media loves to write that I’m bad for the sport but clearly not.”
Kyrgios’ deepest Wimbledon run is the quarterfinals in 2014.
Kyrgios will next face Brandon Nakashima after the 20-year-old easily recorded a 6-4, 6-4, 6-1 win over Colombia’s Daniel Elahi Galan. Nakashima is the youngest American to reach the Round of 16 at Wimbledon since Andy Roddick (also 20) in 2003.
Second-seeded Rafael Nadal also advanced with a 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 victory over 27th-seeded Italian Lorenzo Sonego.
Nadal had 24 winners and 17 unforced errors while continuing his pursuit of a third Wimbledon title. Sonego had 19 winners and 17 unforced errors.
“It was probably my best match without a doubt here at The Championships against the most difficult player I have faced yet,” Nadal said in his on-court interview. “I was able to raise my level, so I am super happy for that. I wish Lorenzo all the very best for the rest of the season.”
Nadal next faces Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands. The No. 21 seed beat France’s Richard Gasquet 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (7), 6-1.
Taylor Fritz, seeded 11th, moved on with a 6-4, 6-1, 7-6 (3) victory over Alex Molcan of Slovakia. Fritz compiled 20 aces.
“It was one of the best serving matches I’ve ever had,” Fritz said. “When I play like that, it frees up the rest of my game to just go after the ball, just play really confident tennis because I know I’m getting these free points on my serve.”
Fritz next faces Australian Jason Kubler, who produced a 6-2, 4-6, 5-7, 7-6 (4), 6-3 win over Jack Sock.
No. 19 Alex de Minaur of Australia cruised to a 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 win over Liam Broady of Great Britain. Next up for de Minaur is Chile’s Cristian Garin, who posted a 6-2, 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 triumph over 29th seed Jenson Brooksby.
–Field Level Media
