Wimbledon 2014: Rafael Nadal v Nick Kyrgios match preview

A look ahead to the fourth-round match in the men's singles

Anna Bonar
Tuesday 01 July 2014 10:14 BST
Comments
Rafael Nadal takes on Nick Kyrgios
Rafael Nadal takes on Nick Kyrgios (AFP)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

It does not happen often that an unknown teenager faces his childhood hero and the current world no.1 in the late stages of any major tournament. But this is exactly what Centre Court ticket holders and millions around the world will be treated to when Rafael Nadal takes on Nick Kyrgios.

Kyrgios, the Australian wonder boy, ranked 144, who only turned pro last year has already been named the dark horse of the tournament.

En route to the second week at SW19 he beat Stephane Robert, Jiri Vesely and more importantly Richard Gasquet having defended an astounding nine match points before leaving the court as the winner, to a standing ovation.

His confidence and composure on court are however no coincidence. Only last year the 19-year-old was junior world no.1 and junior Australian Open champion.

However, any of his achievements are put to shame by those of his opponent, who at 28 has over 700 career wins to his name, and an incredible 14 Grand Slam titles. It will be an interesting confrontation between the hero of today and a potential hero of tomorrow.

The winner will meet Milos Raonic or Kei Nishikori next in the quarter-final.

Video: Preview of day eight at Wimbledon 2014

START: Tuesday, Centre Court, second match of the day

PAST MEETINGS…

N/A

STATS…

Nadal’s prize money equals $ 70, 505, 136 while for Kyrgios that sum is approximately 300 times smaller ($235,084)

The Spaniard has won 64 career titles while Kyrgios has none to his name.

Kyrgios comes third in the ranking for most aces in the tournament so far with 76. Nadal is not among the top 20 players in this category.

ODDS…

Kyrgios to win: 14/1

Nadal to win 1/16

TV: BBC 1

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in