LIVE: Nick Kyrgios has recovered from a horrific start to winning the first two sets of his Wimbledon quarterfinals against Chilean Cristian Garin, after losing the first two games of the match without winning a point.
Kyrgios has complained during the first set, repeatedly complaining to himself and his team in the stands, but he has maintained his temperament and responded with maturity to seal the set 6-4 after a sad start saw him lose the nine starting points in a row.
Kyrgios worked quickly and comfortably on his own serve games after a powerful serve and errors from Garin, and broke the love to put the 3-1 up in the second set.
Kyrgios saved two break points in the next game, and another in his next serve game, before serving the second set 6-3.
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REPORTS: Kyrgios faces assault charge | 00:59
The Australian was relatively focused, though frustrated: he often vented those frustrations in his box that included Sister Halimah, Father Giorgos, Coach Daniel Horsfall, Physiotherapist Will Maher and Bride Costeen Hatzi.
In the first set, Kyrgios scolded them for not cheering him on more enthusiastically. They responded standing up and cheering after each point, regardless of the outcome, but not always to their appreciation.
At one point, someone on his team shouted, “Come on, Kygs!”
Kyrgios replied bluntly, “Don’t say that.”
And his ever-present mental games extended to Kyrgios declaring aloud, “He returns better than he serves,” an insult his opponent would almost certainly have heard.
Kyrgios’s comment on the match often continued even when his opponent was ready to serve.
Luckily for the Australian, he appeared to be calm due to a shoulder injury that limited his service in the fourth-round win over American Brandon Nakashima.
The Australian used his great service with great effect during the first two sets, he was regularly able to get out of dangerous positions and save rest points.
Kyrgios’ soliloquy stood out regularly with roars of “Let’s go!” The phrase became a comeback for Kyrgios after every crucial point, a mark of his concentration and positive energy.
But a double foul and an unforced error made him shake his head and rebuke the audience, before veteran referee James Keothavong asked the audience – who had been quite polite until then – to remain silent during the points.
Kyrgios avoided two break points to end the 5-4, and quickly racked up three break points and seven, sealing it on the first try before throwing his fist.
PREVIEW
Nick Kyrgios surprised the tennis world when he was 19 in 2014 when he defeated then world number one Rafael Nadal on his way to the Wimbledon quarter-finals.
But frequent tantrums and fines have overshadowed his undoubted talent and he has never achieved a better end in a Grand Slam.
Eight years later, Kyrgios is back in the round of 16 at Wimbledon and this time with a great opportunity to reach his full potential.
He now faces Chilean Cristian Garin, who in the previous round beat Australian Alex de Minaur.
Wimbledon has confirmed that Kyrgios’ match will go ahead despite a report of assault on his ex-girlfriend.
“We have been informed of legal proceedings involving Nick Kyrgios in Australia and as they are ongoing we are not in a position to offer any comment,” says an All-England Club statement.
“We’re in touch with Nick’s team and he’s still scheduled to play his quarterfinal match.”
Meanwhile, her Australian teammate Ajla Tomljanovic threatened with great discomfort, winning the first set of her quarter-finals against fit Elena Rybakina 6-4.
But the Australian collapsed and lost seven games in a row, losing the second set 2-6 before the decisive 3-6.
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