Wimbledon: Nick Kyrgios unapologetic to Rafael Nadal
As we finish up the first week at Wimbledon, things seem to be just heating up with some of the world’s best.
The Rafael Nadal and Kyck Kyrgios match lived up to all the hype. The two have had their squabbles in the past, including Nadal calling Kyrgios “disrespectful,” and Kyrgios hitting back by labeling the Spaniard “super salty.” Even Nadal’s Uncle Toni got involved in their altercations at some point.
Their second-round match was hyped up like a boxing match, which Rafa won in four very testy, tight sets, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(3). Kyrgios ranted against the umpire, aimed the ball straight at Rafa’s chest, after which Nadal responded with a predatory glare. Nadal also took his time between games, something that has irritated the mercurial Australian many times in the past (and the rationale for his rants against the umpire). Of course it didn’t help that Kyrgios went pub-drinking the night before. On the fourth of July, this match certainly provided the fireworks.
You can see Nick Kyrgios’s full press conference here (it really is worth watching in its entirety– the guy’s hilarious).
Next up for Nadal in the third round is Jo-Wielfried Tsonga. The 17-time slam champion owns their head-to-head, 8-4. The two haven’t played since 2015, where Tsonga won. A former world No. 5, the Frenchman has been building back up since knee surgery last year.
Italian racehorses
Matteo Berrettini is continuing his winning streak with a second round defeat over Marcos Baghdatis, 6-1 7-6(4), 6-3, a veteran on the Tour who retired from tennis after the match. A twice-titlist this year, including a crucial win at Stuttgart, he has entered Wimbledon as one of the players who could cause an upset. He hasn’t disappointet yet. Up next for him is Diego Schwartzman, who won over Matthew Ebden 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. The two have never played each other on grass before.
Joining Berrettini is his compatriot Fabio Fognini who got through a much tougher five setter, eventually powering through the win over Hungarian Marton Fucsovics 6-7(6), 6-4, 7-6(3), 2-6, 6-3. Heading into the grass slam, Berrettini had become the new world No. 20, and Fognini No. 10.
Fognini faces off with Tennys Sandren, one of the American men who are dangers to content with at the All England Club. Both men will be exhausted after their five-setters when they face each other.
“I guess that helps me a little bit. Maybe we’re both a little tired. It’s better than him winning in straight sets!” said Sandgren, who went the distance to clinch the win over Frenchman Gilles Simon in a 6-2, 6-3, 4-6, 3-6, 8-6 R2 match.
“I’m definitely spent. I was really hurting by the end of the fourth and probably didn’t have any business winning the fifth but got a little lucky.
“Definitely running on fumes.”
Independence Day winners
American Sam Querrey is also still in the mix. A former world No. 11, he’s back from a three-month abdominal injury absence. He made the all-American final at Eastbourne, a big warm-up event for Wimbledon, the week before, losing to compatriot Taylor Fritz. Most impressively, Querrey took out two big nextgen stars, first FO finalist Dominic Thiem, and then Andrey Rublev. He faces Australian John Millman next.
“It’s all better now and last week went really well,” Querrey said about his injury, after his win over Thiem. “That momentum is kind of still there and luckily I like playing on grass.”
Although both Fritz and top ranked American John Isner lost in the second round, Steve Johnson is keeping American hope alive alongside Sandgren and Querrey on the men’s side.
Eight-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer glided through his match, winning over hometown favorite Jay Clarke, 6-1, 7-6(3), 6-2. Next up for the Swiss is Frenchman Lucas Pouille, who he beat in their only meeting.
The second half of third round matches resume on Saturday. Check back here for all your Wimbledon and tennis coverage.