Rafael Nadal followed fellow World No.1 Serena Williams, in a shock early upset at Wimbledon. The former 2 time champion, was left stunned by 19 year old Aussie Powerhouse, Nick Kyrgios. The teenage wildcard was too much for Rafa to handle, and the 9 time French Open winner eventually went down in 4 sets in the biggest upset in the men’s draw so far. In the women’s singles, Angie Kerber edged a titanic 3 set tussle with Maria Sharapova and book her QF spot.
The Championships, Wimbledon 2014: Day 9 Tuesday, MS 4th rd
Kyrgios vs Nadal
For the 3rd year in a row, Rafael Nadal has failed to reach the QF’s of Wimbledon.
The World No.1, just like in 2012 against Rosol and last year with Darcis, he was blown away by clear-cut precision and power, which pushed him further and further back to the baseline.
Rafa has hardly played any matches on grass, since reaching the final in 2011. In fact he’s hardly won any, with only 4 wins at SW19 since reaching the final 3 years ago.
The lack of match practise on grass, plus together with the fact that it’s his weakest surface, again proved to be his undoing.
Kyrgios’s ace count was off the roof. He served an incredible 37 aces in 4 sets. But what was more amazing was that, he started the match with an ace, one the first tiebreak 7-5 with an ace and won the match with an ace.
Rafa though came back like a true champion in the 2nd set. Nadal with his back against the wall, got the 1 break he needed and dually held it long enough to claim the 2nd set 7-5.
But just like in the 1st set, Kyrgios kept coming at him, with that huge forehand and serve troubling the mighty Spaniard.
In the end a tiebreak would settle the 3rd set and yet again it was the Aussie teenager who prevailed 7-5, to take a 2 sets to 1 lead.
Then in the 4th set, the match and Rafa’s fate was decided in the 4th game. A forehand error from Nadal gave the vital break for Kyrgios to go up 3-1.
Nadal in the end couldn’t get back in the match. Try all he did, Kyrgios just kept slamming the door down and 2 service games later, he sealed the huge, massive win with a booming 37th ace.
Kyrgios’s victory meant that for the first time since 1992, a man ranked outside 100 had beaten a world No.1 at a major.
The future star of the men’s game now goes onto face Milos Raonic in the last 8, after the Canadian got past Kei Nishikori in 4: 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3.
Federer vs Robredo
I’m gonna keep this brief and oh so short.
The 17 times GS Champion, was nothing sort of utterly sublime in his last 16 clash with Spain’s Tommy Robredo.
The veteran Spaniard was appearing in his maiden 4th rd at Wimbledon, but Federer was quick to dispel any hopes of a maiden QF.
The Swiss maestro just jogging to win and easing into the last 8, with a devastating straight sets victor: 6-1. 6-4, 6-4
In the QF’s he’ll face compatriot and Australian Open winner, Stan Wawrinka. Wawrinka came through a testing 3 setter over Feliciano Lopez: 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (9-7), 6-3.
MS, 1st rd results:
Kyrgios bt Nadal: 7-6 (7-5), 5-7, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3
Federer bt Robredo: 6-1, 6-4, 6-4
Wawrinka bt F Lopez: 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (9-7), 6-3
Raonic bt Nishikori: 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3
The Championships, Wimbledon 2014: Day 9 Tuesday, WS 4th rd & QF’s
Kerber vs Sharapova
It’s been 10 years since Maria Sharapova last lifted the Venus Rosewater Dish. But following Tuesday’s loss, she’ll have to wait a little while longer for a 2nd Wimbledon title.
The Russian juggernaut who won the French Open a month ago, came up against dogged German Angelique Kerber.
Kerber is known for her tenacity and determination, which sees her getting balls back from impossible positions.
Those defensive skills annoyed Sharapova to the limit, as she struggled in the end to land that ultimate killer blow.
Kerber broke straight away and held serve for a 2-0 lead. Sharapova broke back, but Kerber kept chipping away and soon got to a healthy 5-3 lead.
But Maria just wouldn’t let go and broke Kerber again, on her way to levelling at 5-5.
The match then seemed destined for a tiebreaker, and that’s what the crowd certainly got.
Again it was Kerber’s dogged personality that got her through, winning it 7-4 and getting that vital first set under her belt.
Maria through retaliated back in the 2nd set, edging Angelique 6-4.
Kerber though wrestled things back in the decider, as she raced into a 3-0 lead. Soon the 2012 SF, was at match-point up 5-2.
Maria though bravely saved it with a backhand winner, which just clipped the line.
Kerber then failed to serve the match out, as her nerves got the better off her. Maria pounced and broke to go 5-4.
But it was Kerber who eventually had the last laugh, as she finally sealed victory on her 7th MP and take the final set 6-4.
This was certainly after Serena’s early 3rd rd exit, the 2nd biggest upset in the women’s tournament.
For Maria her quest for that long-awaited 2nd Wimbledon trophy goes on. In fact since she won in 2004, she’s only reached the QF’s or better 3 times. (2005-SF, 2006-SF and 2011-F)
Kerber will now face Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard for a place in the SF’s.
WS, 4th rd results:
Kerber bt Sharapova: 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 6-4
Halep bt Diyas: 6-3, 6-0
Lisicki bt Shvedova: 6-3, 3-6, 6-4
WS QF, results
Kvitova bt Zahlavova Strycova: 6-1, 7-5
Safarova bt Makarova: 6-3, 6-1
All Things Tennis- from Hamza Shakeel 