Nick Kyrgios has been the subject of conversation at Wimbledon for his amazing game as much as for his outrageous crossings on the court over the past week.
Now the Kyrgios show is moving to the biggest stage of all: the central Wimbledon track, which yesterday celebrated its centenary with a who is who of the former champions.
Kyrgios, who is already enjoying one of his best Grand Slam fortnights, can go one step further to join the ranks of these legends when he faces rising American star Brandon Nakashima in a fourth round match at 10.30pm AEST.
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Kyrgios is one of four Australians in the round of 16 in action tonight, not the only one facing a tricky American rival.
Follow all the action on our live blog below!
“TRANYA, MANIPULATION, ABUSE”: Kyrgios was attacked by ex-elders, but gave an appointment to the central court
“DISGUSTING”: a roast writer for the column saying Nick Kyrgios should be deported
IT’S HAPPENING: Proof that Kyrgios is a legitimate threat to the Wimbledon title
From Minaur to the fourth round! | 01:52
World No. 99 Jason Kubler faces 11th seed Taylor Fritz, a 24-year-old who hasn’t lost a set so far this tournament, which he entered after an impressive title victory in the world. ‘Eastbourne International.
In that traditional grass warm-up before Wimbledon, Fritz defeated Alex de Minaur on the way to the title, another Australian who is in action tonight.
The world number 27 of Minaur faces the number 43 of the Chilean Cristian Garin, a difficult rival who at the end of last year reached the 17th place in the world. Garin had to face last year’s runner-up Matteo Berrettini in the first round of this year, only for Berrettini to retire after contracting the Covid-19.
De Minaur won the first set 6-2. He then served for the second set with a 5-4, but broke for love, before breaking immediately and winning the 7-5.
The winner of this match will face Kyrgios or his opponent tonight Nakashima, offering the possibility of a fully Australian quarter-final.
For Kubler, classified in this tournament, the victory would mark a possible appointment with Rafael Nadal, who will face in the fourth round the Botic van de Zandschulp, head of series 21.
Tonight there is a fourth Australian in action: Ajla Tomljanovic, who is scheduled to follow De Minaur on track two. Tomljanovic, 29, has already won two seeded titles in the top 20 of this tournament, but faces French veteran Alize Cornet, who surprised world number one Iga Swiatek in sets in a row in the previous round. Tomljanovic beat Cornet in the second round last year on his way to the best quarterfinal appearance.
Four Australians in the fourth round is the largest number since 1999, when they were made by Pat Rafter, Mark Philippoussis, Wayne Arthurs and Jelena Dokic. But if all four won tonight, it would be the first time Australia had a quarter-final since 1974, when Rod Laver, John Newcombe, Evonne Goolagong and Kerry Melville each reached that stage. The last time four Australians reached the quarterfinals in the men’s and women’s singles cap slam was in 1981.
‘What are you talking about ?!’ | 01:07
AUSSIES IN ACTION
20:00 AEST: Alex de Minaur vs Cristian Garin, track 2
10.30 pm: Nick Kyrgios against Brandon Nakashima, center court
23.15 (estimated): Jason Kubler against Taylor Fritz, track 1
22:00 (east): Ajla Tomljanovic against Alize Cornet, track 2
“DISGUSTING”: a roast writer for the column saying Nick Kyrgios should be deported
“DRAW THE LINE FOR EVERYONE”: Kyrgios’ father unloads Wimbledon officials
FINE: Kyrgios and Tsitsipas fined for Wimbledon “circus” while Australian laughs
‘VILE’: Kyrgios criticized for ‘vile’ insults after a spiteful confrontation
LIVE BLOG
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