Nick Kyrgios treated Wimbledon on Friday to a thrilling reminder of why he might just be the prince of the new power generation in men's tennis.
A racquet-flinging, air-punching, Fanatics-thrilling, windmill-waving prince, but a prince all the same, and a four-set win over Milos Raonic emphasised his burgeoning talent.
The Australian fired 34 aces in a 5-7 7-5 7-6 (7/3) 6-3 victory over the seventh seed, but there is far more to the 20-year-old's game than a big serve.
On a roasting hot Court Two, Kyrgios dropped the first set after committing three double faults in the final game, but his game reached a new level thereafter as the man who beat Rafael Nadal at the All England Club last year powered through to the last 16.
He finished off the match with a thumping forehand winner and looks to have the tools of a future Wimbledon champion.
"I don't fear anyone," Kyrgios said. "I thought I returned really well today. I created a lot of chances. I knew it was going to be a tough match and I toughed it out and got it done in four sets."
French shot-maker Richard Gasquet lies in wait for Kyrgios next after his three-set win over Grigor Dimitrov on Centre Court.
Kyrgios and Gasquet met at the second-round stage last year, with the man from Canberra coming from two sets behind to win in five.
"It's going to be tough," Kyrgios said. "He's a savvy veteran of the tour. Beating Grigor in straight sets is not an easy task, especially on grass."
Source: PA
