Nick Kyrgios claims five-set thriller to advance to Wimbledon second round

·

Nick Kyrgios is through to the second round at Wimbledon after beating rising French star, Ugo Humbert, in five sets for the second time at a grand slam this year.

“Not too bad for a part time player,’’ Kyrgios said after securing the match 9-7 in the fifth set, referring to the few matches he has played in the past 18 months.

“It didn’t take me much to get me off the couch in Canberra, Australia. Wimbledon is one of my favourite events, it was an easy decision for me.”

Kyrgios’ second clash with the 23-year-old this season featured its fair share of drama.

The match resumed precariously poised at 3-all in the fifth set after Wimbledon’s 11pm curfew cut the match short on Thursday morning (AEST).

About 16 hours later, the pair resumed play. After four relatively routine holds from both players, Kyrgios pounced.

At 7-all, he forced three break points on Humbert’s serve. He took the third opportunity.

The 26-year-old saved two break points while serving for the match before claiming his first match point in typical Kyrgios style – with a big first serve down the middle.

But it was the slickness of the grass that almost cost Kyrgios the victory when, at 6-6 in the fifth set, he hurt his hip while doing the splits at the back of the court.

Kyrgios screamed in pain as he slipped on the court, but was able to resume the match. Credit: Getty Images.

After rolling around for a few seconds, Kyrgios resumed play but was initially hampered in his movements, relying instead on his lethal serve.

“I was always gonna get up and play with one leg, I was going to finish the match,” he said, before adding: “I am not the most flexible bloke so anytime my legs spread a little bit apart, its like ‘argh’, it was pretty brutal.”

One service game later, Kyrgios pounced on his first opportunity to break Humbert’s serve and didn’t look back.

Having beaten the 21st seed 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 9-7, Kyrgios’ portion of the draw has now opened up. He will play world No. 77 Gianluca Mager in the second round.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Winners announced for the 6th Greek Public Speaking Festival

The Modern Greek Teachers’ Association of Victoria (MGTAV) has announced the winners of the 6th Greek Public Speaking Festival.

Greek flag flies high at Inverell’s Otho Street for OXI Day

Peter McCarthy arranged for a Greek flag to fly proudly outside the Inverell Shire Council (ISC) chambers on Otho Street for OXI Day.

Amanatidis, Valkanis named on Subway Young Socceroos squad for Panda Cup

Nathan Amanatidis and Dimitri Valkanis have been named on Subway Young Socceroos squad for the Panda Cup in China.

Arkadia group release plans for new high-rise towers at Sydney’s Neutral Bay

Arkadia property group has released its plans to redevelop two north shore shopping centres into high-rise towers in Neutral Bay.

Serious momentum builds for future vote on genocide recognition in Victoria

A wave of over 35 letters have been addressed to the Victorian Premier supporting a future motion to recognise the 1915 Genocides.

You May Also Like

Call for Greek-Australian community to evaluate dementia films

"Although the Greek community is very well served, (resources) are often really disjointed and hard to find," Dr Josefine Antoniades said to The Greek Herald.

New Deputy Foreign Minister assigned after Diamataris resignation

The role of Deputy Foreign Minister responsible for the Greek diaspora worldwide has been assigned to Dr Costas Vlassis. This came after the previous minister,...

SA man Harry Kapiris bins $1.1 million worth of tomatoes amid virus outbreak

Gawler River Tomatoes owner Harry Kapiris has thrown out at least $1.1 million worth of tomatoes and laid off 30 workers over the past week.