Rafael Nadal wins Wimbledon grudge match over Nick Kygrios in fiesty Centre Court battle
RAFAEL NADAL overcame a spirited effort from Nick Kygrios to win a high-quality encounter in the second round of Wimbledon.
Wimbledon: Nadal reacts to second round win against Kyrgios
The atmosphere was electric on Centre Court as the two players walked on court and Nadal made the ideal start by breaking Kyrgios in his opening service game and dominating the set to win it 6-3.
Kyrgios then embroiled himself in a row with the umpire over perceived time-wasting from Nadal but he eventually calmed down to level the match by winning the second set 6-3.
The serve dominated the third set as both men held easily although Kyrgios did receive a lengthy glare from Nadal after rifling a forehand at him but the third seed got payback by winning the tiebreak.
The fourth set also went to a tiebreak and Kyrgios was unable to keep down the errors and Nadal took advantage to book his place in the third round.
RAFAEL NADAL VS NICK KYRGIOS AS IT HAPPENED
FOURTH SET (*denotes server)
NADAL 6-3 3-6 7-6 7-6 KYRGIOS - TIEBREAK
Kyrgios nets a smash, 1-0. Kyrgios backhand error, 2-0. Kyrgios forehand into the net, 3-0. Nadal return error, 3-1. Kyrgios ace, his 29th, 3-2.
Kyrgios forehand into the net, 4-2. Kyrgios return error, 5-2. Nadal forehand into the net, 5-3. Kyrgios forehand long, 6-3. Kyrgios backhand into the net GAME. SET. MATCH. NADAL.
*NADAL 6-3 3-6 7-6 6-6 KYRGIOS
Ace no 10 for Nadal followed by a trademark forehand winner down the line, 30-0. Kyrgios goes long with a forehand and it is tiebreak time again.
NADAL 6-3 3-6 7-6 5-6 KYRGIOS*
Kyrgios serve and volley winner, 15-15. Kyrgios nets a half volley then hits a 28th ace, 40-30. Big forehand winner down the line from Kyrgios.
*NADAL 6-3 3-6 7-6 5-5 KYRGIOS
Nadal sees out the danger by holding to 15.
NADAL 6-3 3-6 7-6 4-5 KYRGIOS*
Kyrgios forehand winner, 30-15. Ace 27 for Kyrgios. Nadal nets an attempted forehand flick up the line.
*NADAL 6-3 3-6 7-6 4-4 KYRGIOS
Wild Nadal forehand, 0-15. But the Spaniard responds to lead, 40-15. Nadal drop shot into the net, 40-30. Big Nadal serve to hold again.
NADAL 6-3 3-6 7-6 3-4 KYRGIOS*
Aces 25 and 26 for Kyrgios in this game as he holds again.
*NADAL 6-3 3-6 7-6 3-3 KYRGIOS
Nadal love hold. Easy.
NADAL 6-3 3-6 7-6 2-3 KYRGIOS*
Kyrgios forehand winner, 15-15. Ace No 24, 30-15. Kyrgios slam dunk smash winner, 40-15. And he holds on again.
*NADAL 6-3 3-6 7-6 2-2 KYRGIOS
Big Nadal forehand down the line, 30-0. Nadal double fault, 40-30. But an ace seals the game.
NADAL 6-3 3-6 7-6 1-2 KYRGIOS*
Lovely backhand down the line then smash winner from Kyrgios, 40-15. Brutal Nadal backhand return pass, 40-30.
Kyrgios ace, his 23rd, wins the game.
*NADAL 6-3 3-6 7-6 1-1 KYRGIOS
Nadal follows with a love hold of his own.
NADAL 6-3 3-6 7-6 0-1 KYRGIOS*
Kyrgios holds to love.
THIRD SET
NADAL 6-3 3-6 7-6 KYRGIOS - TIEBREAK
Kyrgios return long, 1-0. Nadal backhand into the net, 1-1. Nadal forehand winner, 2-1. Kyrgios backhand into the net, 3-1. Nadal ace, his sixth of the match, 4-1.
Kyrgios smash winner, 4-2. Kyrgios flick up the line goes just long, 5-2. Kyrgios forehand winner, 5-3. Kyrgios goes wide with a forehand, 6-3.
Kyrgios drive forehand, 6-4. Nadal return long, 6-5. Nadal forehand winner, 7-5.
NADAL 6-3 3-6 6-6 KYRGIOS*
Kyrgios holds to 15. TIEBREAK TIME!
*NADAL 6-3 3-6 6-5 KYRGIOS
Big Nadal serve down the T, 30-0. And he guarantees himself a tiebreak with an ace.
NADAL 6-3 3-6 5-5 KYRGIOS*
Nadal backhand winner, 0-15. Gorgeous Kyrgios drop volley, 15-15. Kyrgios backhand pass winner, 30-15.
And the Australian holds again. Brilliant tennis from both men at the moment.
*NADAL 6-3 3-6 5-4 KYRGIOS
Kyrgios backhand long, 30-15. Nadal forehand winner, 40-15. Kyrgios rifles a forehand at Nadal at the net. Serious stare down from Nadal. Then he double faults, deuce.
And Nadal comes through when Kyrgios puts a forehand long.
NADAL 6-3 3-6 4-4 KYRGIOS*
Kyrgios forehand winner, 30-0. Nadal goes wide with a backhand, 40-15. Kyrgios ace, his 17th means game. Finely poised match.
*NADAL 6-3 3-6 4-3 KYRGIOS
Nadal mis-hits a forehand, 0-15. The Spaniard hits back with a forehand winner, 30-15. And he holds after Kyrgios nets a forehand return.
NADAL 6-3 3-6 3-3 KYRGIOS*
Lovely drop shot from Kyrgios, 30-0. Then a 15th ace of the match, 40-0. Kygrios goes wide with a backhand volley, 40-30.
But he steadies himself to win the game with a forehand winner.
*NADAL 6-3 3-6 3-2 KYRGIOS
Nadal forehand wide, 0-15. He comes up with a forehand winner to go 30-15 ahead. Nadal ace, 40-15. And Kyrgios goes wide with a forehand.
NADAL 6-3 3-6 2-2 KYRGIOS*
Kyrgios ace, 30-0. Nadal backhand long, 40-0. Then a forehand return long. Every tense at the moment.
*NADAL 6-3 3-6 2-1 KYRGIOS
Nadal ace, 40-0. Kyrgios forehand return long.
NADAL 6-3 3-6 1-1 KYRGIOS*
Kyrgios ace, 30-0. Kyrgios forehand long, 40-15. Kyrgios ace means game.
*NADAL 6-3 3-6 1-0 KYRGIOS
Nadal ace, 40-0. And another wins the game. Ideal start for the third seed.
SECOND SET
NADAL 6-3 3-6 KYRGIOS*
Kyrgios forehand winner then serve and volley THEN an ace. Three set points. And he levels the match when Nadal puts a forehand return long.
GAME ON!
*NADAL 6-3 3-5 KYRGIOS
Kyrgios with a deft drop volley, 15-15. Huge Kyrgios forehand winner catches the line, 15-30. Kyrgios drop volley winner, break point.
Nadal nets a forehand and Kyrgios breaks again. Remarkable.
NADAL 6-3 3-4 KYRGIOS*
Kyrgios nets an attempted drop shot, 0-30. Kyrgios overhead backhand smash goes wide, three break points. Kyrgios nets a forehand. Nadal back on serve.
*NADAL 6-3 2-4 KYRGIOS
Kyrgios shanks a forehand, 30-0. Vintage Nadal forehand up the line wins the game.
NADAL 6-3 1-4 KYRGIOS*
Booming Kyrgios forehand winner, 30-15. Nadal backhand return into the net, 40-30. Another Kyrgios underarm serve, Nadal gets to it but nets the forehand.
*NADAL 6-3 1-3 KYRGIOS
Nadal gets back on track to end Kyrgios' run of games and holds to 15.
NADAL 6-3 0-3 KYRGIOS*
Nadal backhand return winner to start the game. Kyrgios then nets a backhand, 15-30.
Two immediate break back points a Nadal gets Kyrgios on the run and forces the error. Saves the first with a drop shot. Kyrgios volley winner, deuce.
Kyrgios ace. And he consolidates the break as Nadal nets a return
*NADAL 6-3 0-2 KYRGIOS
Nadal nets an attempted drop shot, 0-30. Big Kyrgios forehand into the corner, two break points. Kyrgios forehand winner to break. Breathtaking.
NADAL 6-3 0-1 KYRGIOS*
Nadal backhand long, 30-0. Kyrgios ace. Nadal forehand return winner, 40-15. Another Kyrgios ace. Better start by the Aussie.
FIRST SET
*NADAL 6-3 KYRGIOS
Nadal nets a backhand, 30-30. Nadal body serve then forehand winner, set point. Nadal volley winner. First set to the Spaniard.
NADAL 5-3 KYRGIOS*
143mph second serve ace from Kyrgios. Wowzers. Kyrgios forehand winner, 40-0. Kyrgios underarm serve. Nadal didn't even move. Outrageous.
*NADAL 5-2 KYRGIOS
Kyrgios is moaning and groaning. But Nadal isn't. In complete control as he holds to love.
NADAL 4-2 KYRGIOS*
Kyrgios double fault, 30-15. Nadal forehand return into the net, 40-15. And another return error from Nadal gives Kyrgios another game.
*NADAL 4-1 KYRGIOS
Nadal forehand winner, 30-0. Nadal is burying every short ball from Kyrgios and maintains his lead.
NADAL 3-1 KYRGIOS*
Nadal goes wide with a forehand, 40-0. And an ace gives the Aussie his first game.
*NADAL 3-0 KYRGIOS
Nadal nets a backhand, 30-15. But Nadal closes out the game when Kyrgios nets a forehand. All business from Nadal at the moment.
NADAL 2-0 KYRGIOS*
Two break points for Nadal as Kyrgios nets a forehand. He's struggled for first serves in this service game.
Kyrgios saves the first break point with a drop shot winner. But Nadal breaks with a smash winner.
*NADAL 1-0 KYRGIOS
Perfect start from the world No 2 as he holds to love.
16:45: Nadal will serve first...
16:37: Nadal and Kyrgios walk out to a huge ovation. The tension is palpable!
16:30: Anticipation is building ahead of Nadal vs Kyrgios. Express Sport spoke to Marin Cilic's coach Wayne Ferreira for some insights to the match.
16:20: It's all over on Centre Court and Konta is through to the third round after routine 6-3 6-3 victory. Nadal vs Kyrgios is next...
16:15: Before this match can get underway, Britain's Jo Konta is in action. And she leads 6-3 5-3 over Katerina Siniakova.
16:10: The world has seen the 'Rumble in the Jungle'. Now tennis gets his own grudge match as Nadal plays Kyrgios on Centre Court today.
15:50: Hello and welcome to LIVE coverage of the most eagerly anticipated match of Wimbledon so far - Rafael Nadal vs Nick Kyrgios.