Rafael Nadal and Nick Kyrgios squared off in the second round of Wimbledon and had what will likely be eventful and drama-filled matches at this year’s tournament. Once again, the Aussie’s antics made headlines as he did everything in his power t o set the Spaniard off.
Meanwhile, the big names continue to fall in the women’s draw. With Naomi Osaka already gone following an embarrassing first-round exit, defending champion Angelique Kerber has followed her out the door after getting shocked in the second round.
And speaking of upsets, Serena Williams was also given a bit of a scare but eventually recovered to win in three sets.
Rafael Nadal overcomes Nick Kyrgios’ antics
Nick Kyrgios gave everyone who watched his second-round showdown with Rafael Nadal their money’s worth. The fiery Aussie pulled off a number of antics, including some underhand serves and some trademark arguments with the umpire. He even tried to hit Nadal with a forehand — and was unapologetic about it!
But Nadal — who has a bit of history with Kyrgios — rose above all those distractions to bring down the Australian in four sets, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (5) 7-6 (3).
Nadal admitted post-match that despite the shenanigans, Kyrgios is a talented player who’s capable of some great things.
“He was a tough opponent,” Nadal said. “When he wants to compete, he’s one of the toughest opponents you can face.
“It was an important victory for me, sometimes it’s tough to see a couple of things on court. It’s amazing how good he is able to play, so if he is able to forget all these things, he’s potentially a Grand Slam winner.”
The No. 3 seed is having another strong season thus far. He’s made the final of the first two Grand Slams, winning the French Open for a 12th time as well as the Italian Open.
However, he has not had nearly as much success at Wimbledon. Although he has two titles, his last came all the way back in 2010. He had crashed out within the first two rounds three times in his previous six trips to the All England Club.
Nadal will next face Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the third round.
Defending champion Angelique Kerber knocked out
Angelique Kerber will not be repeating as Wimbledon champion. The No. 5 seed, who was one of the tournament favourites according to the Wimbledon 2019 odds, was eliminated Thursday by unseeded America Lauren Davis, 2-6, 6-2, 6-1.
“Of course I’m disappointed,” said Kerber. “Of course, it’s not the way I would like to finish here or to play here. But you have sometimes days like that. You have to accept it. You have to learn from it, trying to forget this as soon as possible.”
Kerber went into Wimbledon on the back of some good performances on grass. She reached the semi-finals at the Mallorca Open and made it all the way to the final at Eastbourne.
But she just didn’t have her service game going, which Davis capitalised upon. The American wound up breaking the champion’s serve eight times.
The 31-year-old’s second-round exit was her earliest at Wimbledon since 2013. She had reached the final twice in the past three years.
As for Davis, she will move on to the third round, where she will face Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro. And if she wins, she could face fellow American Serena Williams in the round of 16.
Serena Williams survives slight scare
Serena Williams’ quest for a first post-pregnancy Grand Slam is still alive. Although, the 37-year-old suffered a bit of a scare against teenage qualifier Kaja Juvan, who took the opening set. But Williams battled back to take the match, 2-6, 6-2, 6-4.
Williams, who made some major Wimbledon 2019 news by teaming up with the returning Andy Murray for mixed doubles, puts her current struggles down to a lack of tennis but believes she is getting back to her best.
“I’m just low on matches basically,” Williams said. “I could feel it. But I’m getting there.”
Williams, who has also dealt with injuries of late, had played in just five tournaments this season prior to Wimbledon, two of which were the Australian Open and the French Open.
But Wimbledon just brings out the very best out of her. She has made the final of the tournament seven times in the last 10 years she’s taken part, which is a phenomenal record.
She will now look to make it to the fourth round when she takes on German Julia Goerges.
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