Australian teenager Nick Kyrgios has extended his remarkable Wimbledon debut, beating Czech Jiri Vesely to set up a dream last-16 showdown with world No.1 Rafael Nadal.
Wildcard Kyrgios, at 19 the youngest man in the draw, rebounded from the high of his incredible win over Richard Gasquet to beat 20-year-old Vesely 3-6 6-3 7-5 6-2 in a rain-interrupted third-round match on Saturday.
The last Australian left standing at the grass court grand slam, Kyrgios will enter the biggest match of his life against 14-times grand slam champion Nadal in the fourth-round on Monday.
Kyrgios’ win also ensured he will break into the world’s top 100, a remarkable feat considering he was ranked lower than 800th at the start of last year.
The Australian showed no signs of an emotional or physical hangover from Thursday’s incredible win over 13th seed Gasquet, in which he fought back from two sets down and saved nine match points, again coming from behind to clinch victory.
Saturday’s match started almost two hours after schedule due to morning showers but the first session of play lasted just 18 minutes.
Kyrgios trailed 4-2 when play was called off due to more rain and the players had to wait four-and-a-half hours for a resumption.
The Australian failed to prevent Vesely closing out the first set but he got back on terms with an impressive effort in the second.
He played a superb game to go up 5-3 and converted his second set point in the next game with one of 26 aces for the match.
The third set was on serve until Kyrgios converted a rare break-point opportunity with a stunning lob and powerful backhand winner.
Kyrgios was 0-30 down in the next game but won five straight points to take a two-sets-to-one lead.
Both players traded breaks in the final set, but Kyrgios forged clear impressively, sealing the match and dropping to the ground in a Nadal-esque celebration.
Nadal earlier overcame Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Kukushkin 6-7 (7-4) 6-1 6-1 6-1 under Centre Court’s closed roof and the believes Kyrgios will prove a tricky opponent.
“Young players are very dangerous as always they have something special,” Nadal said.
“They are able to play with no pressure. They are fresh.
“He has a great serve. He’s an aggressive player. I saw him few times. Not 50 times like other players so I cannot talk too much.
“It’s good to have new players on tour.”