By Erik Gudris | Thursday, June 26, 2014
Australia's Nick Kyrgios came all the way back and then some to defeat Richard Gasquet in five sets. He'll face another rising talent in Jiri Vesely.
Photo Credit: AP
While big names like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal continue dominating the Wimbledon headlines, the other story emerging is that of the rising next generation.
Wimbledon - Nadal Denied Rosol in Four Sets
That trend continued with the remarkable win by Australia's Nick Kyrgios.
At just 19, Kyrgios is the youngest player in the gentlemen's draw. Kyrgios first got noticed when he lost a thrilling five set battle to France's Benoit Paire at the Australian Open earlier in January.
Kyrgios found himself down and out twice against another Frenchman in Richard Gasquet during their second round match. No. 13 seed Gasquet held a two sets to love lead before Kyrgios rallied to force a fifth set.
Saving a total of nine match points, Kyrgios would go on to win 3-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-5, 10-8 for the biggest win of his career.
While the ITF cannot confirm it, Kyrgios' efforts may be only the third such time in the Open Era that a player has saved nine match points at a Grand Slam.
Kyrgios will next face another young player in Jiri Vesely of the Czech Republic. A former junior No. 1, Vesely ousted No. 24 seed Gael Monfils 7-6(3), 6-3, 6-7(1), 6-7(3), 6-4.
Here's what Kyrgios had to say afterwards.
Tsonga Finishes Off Querrey as Isner Advances
While his countrymen exited, another Frenchman finds himself still standing in the draw.
No. 14 seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga once again needed an extra day to complete a match suspended due to fading light. On Wednesday, Tsonga found himself knotted at 9-all in the fifth set against American Sam Querrey.
Both men returned to the court Thursday in hopes of finishing the match. Tsonga, taking hold of a break, soon closed out the 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-7 (4), 6-3, 14-12 win.
No. 9 seed John Isner won a lengthy tiebreak 19-17 in the first set against Finland's Jarkko Nieminen. Isner eventually completed the 7-6 (17), 7-6(3), 7-5 win. By reaching the third round, Isner earned his best ever career result at Wimbledon.