By Erik Gudris | Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Before the end of his press conference after his third round win at Wimbledon, Nick Kyrgios was asked if he believed he could beat Rafael Nadal.

Kyrgios simply replied, "Yeah."

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Call it youthful bravado or brave hope, 19-year-old Kyrgios just did that with a rousing performance in four sets over the world No. 1. The Australian wildcard now finds himself into his first ever Wimbledon quarterfinal.

While many expected Kyrgios to at least be somewhat overwhelmed by playing Nadal for the first time ever on Centre Court, that didn't seem to matter at all. Kyrgios was the one who awed the crowd with his potent yet free swinging serve that earned him many cheap points. But Nadal kept right in touch with the young Aussie and soon forced a tiebreak.

Kyrgios would take control early in the breaker and would hold several set points. Nadal would save two, but a massive ace from Kyrgios sealed the set 7-6(5).

Used to seeing Nadal drop the opening set in his previous matches, the expectation was Nadal would slowly figure out Kyrgios' serve and make things happen on his return.

Known as a shot maker, Kyrgios also takes delight when he pulls off a near-miraculous shot. That was certainly true when hit this tweener slash drop shot midway through the second set.



Enjoying and being aware of the moment seemed to catch up with the current world No. 144 Kyrgios late in the set. Serving to force another tiebreak, Kyrgios played a few points too casual and too cavalier. As result, Nadal would soon hold a set point that he converted with a forehand winner to level the match.

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By now, many expected Kyrgios to fade away or get nervous. That didn't happen. Kyrgios stayed level with Nadal through the third set and fought off a set point to force yet another tiebreak.

While Kyrgios certainly could blast winners past Nadal, he also felt comfortable biding his time in the rallies while waiting for his opportunity. This was not a "grip and rip" like Lukas Rosol tried to do versus Nadal in the second round. Though missing some shots in the tiebreaker by mere inches, Kyrgios didn't let that stop him from creating a set point and then converting it with more fine hitting.

That included a massive forehand return winner to take a two sets to one lead.

The young Australian seized the moment again in the fourth set. At 2-1, Kyrgios ripped a huge forehand that earned him a break over Nadal for 3-1. Delighted with himself, Kyrgios started jumping up and down as if he had already won. Was the celebration premature? Perhaps it wasn't.

Nadal by now started scampering more than dictating in the remaining rallies. That allowed Kyrgios to end most of them on his terms with a winner. Nadal would hold serve a few games later for 3-5 and thus force Kyrgios to try and serve out the biggest win of his career.

No problem. Kyrgios stepped up to the line and soon found himself up 40-0. Striking his 37th ace, Kyrgios now could finally revel in the improbable yet well-deserved 7-6(5), 5-7, 7-6(5), 6-3 victory.

Kyrgios is now the first man ranked outside of the top 100 to defeat a top ranked player since 1992.

Here's what he said right after the win.

There won't be much time to celebrate for Kyrgios. He now enters a quarterfinal against another player making a first time appearance in the last eight.

Next up is Canada's Milos Raonic. The No. 8 seed defeated No. 10 seed Kei Nishikori of Japan 4-6, 6-1, 7-6(4), 6-3.

It may be premature to start comparing Kyrgios to other greats who made their mark early in their careers at Wimbledon - John McEnroe, Boris Becker, and Roger Federer to name a few. But make no mistake, the youngster from Canberra is no longer a potential star of the future. His star is burning very bright right now.