(June 26, 2014) WIMBLEDON – Nineteen year-old Australian, Nick Kyrgios saved nine match points before beating No. 13 Richard Gasquet 3-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-5, 10-8 at Wimbledon on Thursday. For the wild card, he has reached the third round of a major tournament for the first time in his young career. He is the youngest player in the draw.
“It was an unbelievable match out there,” said the Australian. “My first ever two sets love down, coming back and winning. It’s an amazing feeling. So proud of yourself the way you hung in and fought it out.
“I played some unbelievable tennis today. He was coming up with some really good shots as well. I think I saved nine match points. There’s plenty of opportunities he could have taken. I came out on top, I’m really happy.”
For the young Australian beating Gasquet represents the biggest win of his budding pro career, his first against a top 20 player.
So what was Kyrgios thinking about as he was facing match points against him?
“I was just thinking I just need a big serve every time,” he said. “That’s what I was thinking.
“You know, a couple times where I missed my first serve. Obviously the challenge kept me in it. I was just thinking about going through my routine, coming up with something, going after it, playing aggressive.
The match lasted almost four hours and ended when the Aussie hit his 21st ace of the match.
“My goal is to become the No. 1 player in the world,” Kyrgios said.
Kyrgios will face another youngster in Jiri Vesely in the third round. Vesely took out Frenchman seeded 24, Gael Monfils in five sets 7-6 (3), 6-3, 6-7 (1), 6-7 (3), 6-4.
“He had a massive win today, winning in five sets,” Kyrgios said of his next challenger. “He’s also young. He’s on the rise. He’s got a really aggressive game, big serve. Big hitter as well.
“I think the grass is suiting him nicely. Well done to him, as well.”
“He is a very talented player and today he was a beast,” Gasquet said in his post match news conference.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga completed his match suspended by darkness on Wednesday night and broke Sam Querrey’s service in the 25th game of the final set to win the match 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-7 (4), 6-3, 14-12 at Wimbledon on Thursday.
Very tough today !! Congratulations to @NickKyrgios for his attitude and Victory. Good luck for next round. See you next year @Wimbledon
— Richard Gasquet (@richardgasquet1) June 26, 2014
@richardgasquet1 @Wimbledon Thanks mate, you’re a class act and it was a pleasure to share the court with you. #Respect
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) June 26, 2014
Karen Pestaina at Wimbledon
Related article: