Australian teenager Nick Kyrgios has pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Wimbledon history, beating world No.1 Rafael Nadal in four sets to reach the quarter-finals.
The 19-year-old, the youngest man in the draw, turned a remarkable Wimbledon main draw debut into a spectacular one, defeating the Spaniard 7-6 (7-5) 5-7 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 in just under three hours on Centre Court on Tuesday.
The world No.144 will face Canadian eighth seed Milos Raonic on Wednesday for a place in the semi-finals.
“I was in a bit of a zone out there, it hasn’t sunk in yet,” Kyrgios said.
“I played some extraordinary tennis. I was struggling a little bit on return but I worked my way into it and I got that break in the fourth set. I served at a really good level all throughout the match so I was really happy.”
Kyrgios became the first teenager to defeat a world No.1 at a grand slam since Nadal did it against Roger Federer at Roland Garros in 2005.
Far from overawed in the biggest occasion of his life, a free-swinging Kyrgios lapped it up, going toe-to-toe with the 14-times grand slam champion in an enthralling encounter.
He served brilliantly – blasting 37 aces – reeled off a string of massive winners but also mixed up his game cleverly.
Perhaps most surprisingly, after making a superb start Kyrgios was able to maintain his level through the match.
After carving out an unlikely run to the the last 16 on outside courts, Kyrgios – a wildcard entrant – was elevated to Centre Court status for the biggest match of his life.
Any questions over how the Canberra teen would handle the occasion were answered quickly and emphatically as he put on a serving exhibition in the first set.
The Australian lost only four points on serve for the entire set, none behind his first serve, as he smashed down 13 aces.
But his performance was far from one-dimensional, matching it with Nadal in the longer rallies and putting pressure on the Spainard’s serve.
He earned three break points let in the set, including a set point, but couldn’t convert, however started strongly in the tiebreaker, racing to a 4-0 lead.
Nadal rallied but Kyrgios held his nerve, serving an ace to take an unlikely one-set lead.
Early in the second set Kyrgios had the crowd in awe with an outrageous, through-the-legs drop shot while down 40-0 on Nadal’s serve, accepting the applause with his arms stretched wide.
Serving to force a second set tie break, some careless errors gave Nadal a sniff and the Spaniard converted his second set point to break the Australian’s serve for the first time.
The third set was another closely-fought affair but, just as the match looked to be swinging Nadal’s way, Kyrgios again showed the nerve that has been a hallmark of his campaign.
He saved one set point before edging a tight tiebreak, needing just one set point to regain control of the match after a stunning cross-court return resulted in Nadal putting a backhand wide.
Nadal had lost the first set in his previous three matches and it seemed inevitable he would rally again in the fourth set.
However it was Kyrgios who struck first, securing a break to go 3-2 up.
He showed no signs of giving up his lead, and when given the opportunity to serve for the match, he didn’t drop a single point.
Kyrgios fittingly sealed the historic win with an ace, raising his arms in joy and looking with disbelief to his support box.
He is the first player ranked outside the top 100 to defeat a world No.1 at a grand slam since Andrei Olhovsky defeated Jim Courier at Wimbledon in 1992.
Kyrgios also became the youngest man to reach the last eight at Wimbledon since compatriot Bernard Tomic in 2011 and the first to reach the quarter-finals on debut since Florian Mayer a decade ago.
Tatah
Guest
The wet blanket is a tennis expert too!
Mister Football
Roar Guru
An absolutely amazing sporting feat - well done to Nick..
Bakkies
Guest
Federer was a frequent volleyer at the start of his career. I remember him playing Hopman Cup doubles as an erratic youngster with a dodgy ponytail.
Bakkies
Guest
Bakkies
Guest
Riccardo, Nadal has always had injuries. He had a long lay off a few years back and on his comeback cleaned up on the tour.
catcat
Guest
I don't think players represent their countries at this tournament. Just Davis/Fed/Hopman Cup and the olympics?
Don Freo
Guest
We've still got that with Macca on the AFL site.
Don Freo
Guest
Nothing obnoxious about Nick. He is full of the joy of sport. Enjoy him.
Don Freo
Guest
Rafa just won the last Grand Slam and is No 1 in the world. I hope my old age declines like that. He was at his peak last night. Nick just played better. Be excited.
Don Freo
Guest
McEnrecht?
Don Freo
Guest
I watched it ...and now I have to go to work with very little sleep. The amazing thing is how well Nadal played. Record first serves in and hardly any unforced errors. It is not as if Rafa was off his game. I think he can take Raonic. Both have awesome serves but Nick might be more mobile around the court.
Griffo
Guest
Didn't they make the balls a bit quicker this year? That would aid a bit of serve volley. The way they slowed them down about 15 or so years ago definitely severely diminished the merits of a serve volley game. I think a balance of not too fast and not too slow balls would be good for the game and would see more players coming to the net
Griffo
Guest
Actually although I would not say Nadal is in decline I don't think he would have won the Aus Open final had he not hurt his back. Wawrinka was blisteringly good and didn't really start to falter until Nadal got his injury which seemed to mess up his rhythm. Wawrinka regained his composure and won but had Nadal not gotten injured I doubt Wawrinka would have lost his composure in the first place. It is all hypothetical of course.
Albo
Guest
No worries Chop ! Nick has had some extra tips from Leyton & Pat Cash ! Should be sweet now !
Albo
Guest
Too late ! I thought Tomic is the next big overpaid, obnoxious tennis star ! Nick will just have to wait his turn !
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Michael Chang was born in the USA.
Eden
Guest
The modern game of slower courts and bigger racquets has killed off serve volley as a primary strategy. Grass is the only place to really use it more than as a surprise tactic But I have been interested in how federer is keen to use it where possible. Has anyone watched the fed this tourney to see if he is using it more?
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Since that US Open, he's lost 12 times and only won 4 titles. Even at Roland Garros, he didn't start playing well until late in the tournament and that was on the back of his worst clay court season in years. It's not much of a surprise that he lost at Wimbledon as he hasn't been good on grass for a while now, but the hard courts are where he's truly susceptible. I think he'll see him lose to more young guns on the hard courts.
Riccardo
Guest
A great display of power and angles. With a booming serve that coughed up 31 aces in that four sets the kid really does have game. For a country that has produced Laver, Rosewall, Roach, Rafter, and Cash it amazes me that few of these young proteges can serve and volley and are generally reluctant to come to the net. I understand that power and accuracy from the ground can leave you vulnerable but the opponent still has to pass or lobb you. The pressure is actually the other way. For someone who can emulate Becker or Edberg (these guys came to the net on their second serve) there appears to be a handy and immediate leg-up over their opponents, who don'y employ the same tactic.
Riccardo
Guest
The stats don't really reflect it yet but Rafa, while still very fit, is slower around the court and more injury prone. This is due predominantly to his knees which are completely shot; bone rubbing on bone is how I've heard it explained. Not only does he need to manage his body well, he needs to compensate and his back already takes an awful load due to that forehand. He is a marvellous athlete with that x-factor determination but he will wane over the next season or two.