World No.18 Nick Kyrgios will be hoping to go deep in 2018 at Wimbledon after sitting out of the French Open. Can Kyrgios build of impressive form at Queen’s or will opponent Denis Istomin cause a major upset? Join The Roar from 10pm (AEST) for live scores and coverage.
After missing the French Open with an elbow injury, Kyrgios is in the right headspace to progress deep into the tournament.
He went close to the final at the Stuttgart Open, making it through to the semi-finals against Roger Federer where he lost in three sets 6-7, 6-2, 7-6.
Kyrgios had an impressive run through the Queen’s Club Championships defeating locals Andy Murray 2-6, 7-6, 7-5 and Kyle Edmund 7-6, 6-7, 6-3 before knocking off Feliciano Lopez in straight sets during the quarter-finals 7-6, 7-6.
He had little luck in the semi-finals against first seed Marin Cilic losing 7-6, 7-6 to the tournament winner.
The Australian has had his best results at Wimbledon with a quarter-final appearance in his first Championships in 2014 while also finishing in the fourth round in 2015 and 2016.
Denis Istomin has had a mixed start to the grass season after failing to qualify for the Halle Open. He made it through to the quarter-finals at Stuttgart after knocking off Philipp Kohlschreiber and Florian Mayer in straight sets before losing to Lucas Pouille in the quarter-finals.
His Eastbourne International campaign saw him defeat Andreas Seppi 6-3, 6-7, 7-6 in the first round before losing to Marco Cecchinato 4-6, 6-4, 7-5.
Kyrgios and Istomin have played two times with Kyrgios winning on both occasions. Their last meeting came during the first round of the 2015 French Open with Kyrgios enjoying a 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 win. Prior to that, Kyrgios won 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 in the 2014 Davis Cup. No fixtures have been played between the pair on grass.
Prediction
It will be a tough start for Kyrgios but the Aussie will kick off his Wimbledon campaign on the right foot.
Kyrgios in four sets.
Join The Roar from 10pm (AEST) for score updates and debate in our live blog.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Gosh, we can only hope. Ebden and de Minaur both up a set against Goffin and Cecchinato respectively. What a night for Australian tennis!
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
That concludes The Roar’s coverage of Nick Kyrgios versus Denis Istomin. Nick Kyrgios joins John Millman, Bernard Tomic, Ashleigh Barty, Samantha Stosur and Daria Gavrilova in the second round and will play either Marius Copil or Robin Haase. The Roar's coverage of the 2018 Wimbledon Championship will continue over the next fortnight as we bring you live scores and blogs throughout the tournament. Right now though, Lucas Gillard has live coverage of Sweden vs Switzerland in the Round of 16 at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. There are two more Aussies in action with Alex De Minaur up a set against 29th seed Marco Cecchinato while Matthew Ebden is leading tenth seed David Goffin. Thanks for following along.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Beauty. Now, Tomic to beat Nishikori, Kyrgios to win again and we have that dream third rounder haha.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Roarers, what are your thoughts from tonight?
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
FINAL Aces: Kyrgios 41 - 6 Double Faults: Kyrgios 6 - 2 First Serve %: Kyrgios 86/104 (83%) - 67/86 (78%) Second Serve %: Kyrgios 22/39 (56%) - 31/40 (78%) Total Points Won: Kyrgios 136 - Istomin 133 Nick Kyrgios 7 7 6 6 Denis Istomin 6 6 7 3
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
FINAL There were three tiebreakers before a break late in the fourth set that saw Nick Kyrgios become the sixth Australian through to the second round at the 2018 Wimbledon Championships. Nick Kyrgios 7 7 6 6 Denis Istomin 6 6 7 3
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
GAME. SET. MATCH. KYRGIOS WINS! Kyrgios goes down the T as only he can to hit the ace and he seals victory. Nick Kyrgios 7 7 6 6 Denis Istomin 6 6 7 3
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Istomin goes for the lob off the return, forehand smash unforced error into the net Kyrgios Nick Kyrgios 7 7 6 5 (40) Denis Istomin 6 6 7 3 (15)
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Kyrgios goes to the corner, Istomin puts it wide off the forehand. Match point Nick Kyrgios 7 7 6 5 (40) Denis Istomin 6 6 7 3 (0)
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Kyrgios opens up the court and hits a forehand winner Nick Kyrgios 7 7 6 5 (30) Denis Istomin 6 6 7 3 (0)
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Kyrgios serving for the match, ace down the T Nick Kyrgios 7 7 6 5 (15) Denis Istomin 6 6 7 3 (0)
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
NICK KYRGIOS BREAKS Kyrgios breaks as Istomin puts it deep off the forehand. The Australian will serve for the match. Nick Kyrgios 7 7 6 5 Denis Istomin 6 6 7 3
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Break point for Kyrgios as Istomin overplays the forehand Nick Kyrgios 7 7 6 4 (40) Denis Istomin 6 6 7 3 (30)
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Istomin plays it too deep off the forehand Nick Kyrgios 7 7 6 4 (30) Denis Istomin 6 6 7 3 (30)
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Istomin comes down the line with a forehand winner Nick Kyrgios 7 7 6 4 (15) Denis Istomin 6 6 7 3 (30)
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Kyrgios puts it into the net off the forehand from first serve return Nick Kyrgios 7 7 6 4 (30) Denis Istomin 6 6 7 3 (0)
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Istomin on serve, double fault Nick Kyrgios 7 7 6 4 (15) Denis Istomin 6 6 7 3 (0)
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Kyrgios hits an ace and holds serve Nick Kyrgios 7 7 6 4 Denis Istomin 6 6 7 3
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Istomin fails to return service, putting it wide Nick Kyrgios 7 7 6 3 (40) Denis Istomin 6 6 7 3 (30)
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Kyrgios puts it into the net off the forehand Nick Kyrgios 7 7 6 3 (30) Denis Istomin 6 6 7 3 (30)