Australian Nick Kyrgios knocked out fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in an excellent Wimbledon third-round match that threatened to get out of control on Saturday.
Kyrgios produced great tennis to earn a 6-7(2) 6-4 6-3 7-6(7) victory, but the match will be remembered mainly as one of the most hot-tempered at Wimbledon for decades.
Kyrgios was his usual self but lost his temper with umpire Damien Dumusois after an overruled line call at 5-5 in the first set.
Tsitsipas focused on the job to win the tiebreak and had a massive chance to take control at 4-4 in the second set when Kyrgios let slip a 40-0 lead with two terrible drop shots, but saved a break point with a second-serve ace.
The fireworks truly began when Tsitsipas served to stay on the set at 4-5. First, Kyrgios was warned for audible profanity after being reported by a line judge but responded to break the Tsitsipa's serve after the Greek failed to put away a smash.
In his frustration Tsitsipas whacked a ball that narrowly missed the head of a fan to earn a warning. Kyrgios ranted that Tsitsipas should have been defaulted, called the umpire "a disgrace" and called for a supervisor.
After returning from a toilet break, Tsitsipas was booed by the crowd.
Attempting to keep his composure, Tsitsipas dropped serve early in the third set, then received a point penalty for launching a wild return off a Kyrgios underarm serve -- the ball flying into the scoreboard.
Tsitsipas hit a close-range smash straight at Kyrgios in the next game, missing him and the court as the atmosphere turned toxic. Roared on by the crowd, Kyrgios served sensationally and wrapped up the third set with a sublime reflex volley.
Tsitsipas squirmed out of trouble and with Kyrgios showing no ill effects the temperature lowered slightly.
Kyrgios curled an audacious forehand to earn break points at 3-3 but Tsistipas held firm and roared in defiance. With gloom descending Tsitsipas had 0-40 in the next game but Kyrgios served his way out of trouble to level before a short break for the roof to be closed and lights switched on -- allowing the crowd a welcome chance to draw breath.
On the resumption Kyrgios saved a set point with a searing backhand winner and another in the tiebreak with an audacious half-volley drop shot. Another drop shot got the job done on his second match point after which the players exchanged a brief handshake.
During his post-match interview, Kyrgios spoke highly of Tsitsipas.
"I've got the ultimate respect for him," Kyrgios said. "What happens on the court stays on the court. I love him, and I'm close with his brother."
Kyrgios will take on Brandon Nakashima in the Round of 16. If he continues to play at this level, he could have his best career finish at Wimbledon
