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Wimbledon results, news: Nick Kyrgios def Stefanos Tsitsipas in fiery third-round clash

Nick Kyrgios has been branded a ‘bully’ by opponent Stefanos Tsitsipas in an ugly postscript to the Australian’s extraordinary entry into the second week at Wimbledon.

Nick Kyrgios of Australia speaks with the umpire during their Men's Singles Third Round match
Nick Kyrgios of Australia speaks with the umpire during their Men's Singles Third Round match

Strap yourself in, because the Nick Kyrgios show has just got even crazier and uglier than ever - and you don’t want to miss a second of it.

Whether you love him or loathe him, the fiery Australian’s outrageous behaviour is impossible to turn away from - and everyone’s going to see a lot more of his crude antics if his latest display at Wimbledon is any guide.

He’s just made it through to the fourth round at the All England club after winning a spiteful match 6-7 6-4 6-3 7-6 against Stefanos Tsitsipas, the world number five from Greece.

There was no love lost between the two players in a match that will have shocked the traditionalists because it look more like boxing than tennis as the pair traded insults and took swipes at each other and the officials.

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Nick Kyrgios celebrates defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in their fiery third-round encounter. Picture: Getty
Nick Kyrgios celebrates defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in their fiery third-round encounter. Picture: Getty

Kyrgios is well known for trying to rattle his opponents with his vulgar behaviour but when Tsitsipas took the bait, it turned the match into a pitched battle, the likes of which Wimbledon has never seen before.

Tsitsipas took the fight off the court after the match, labelling Kyrgios a ‘bully’ in a vicious press conference takedown of the combustible Australian star.

“It’s constant bullying. He bullies opponents. He was probably a bully in school, too.... He has a very evil side to him,” Tsitsipas fumed.

Both players received code violations from the chair umpire Damien Dumusois for their unruly conduct as they repeatedly argued and swore at match officials.

In the first set, Kyrgios went into meltdown over a call against him, telling the umpire: “Bro, you’re supposed to make the right call, you don’t get credit unless you make the right call. You just say sorry and it’s all good? It’s f***ing... why don’t you just get a new referee? He’s got one line to call bro.”

Kyrgios had a running battle with match officials through the contest. Picture: AFP
Kyrgios had a running battle with match officials through the contest. Picture: AFP

After winning the second set, a furious Kyrgios exploded when Tsitsipas swatted a ball into the crowd, narrowly missing a spectator.

“He just hit a ball in the f… crowd, are you dumb?” Kyrgios yelled.

“You can’t hit a ball into the crowd and hit someone and not being a default.

“Call the supervisor, I’m not playing until we get to the bottom of this.”

A supervisor did come on court to speak with Kyrgios but did not agree to the Aussie’s request to default the Greek player as social lit up with people arguing about who was right and who was wrong.

“What classifies as that then? You can hit a ball in the crowd and not get hit with something?” Kyrgios grumbled.

“So now they have to be hurt? That's a disgrace. You change the rules whenever you want …

“Give me all the supervisors. I’m not playing until we get to the bottom of it.”

Tsitsipas responded to the incident by apologising and then appearing to turn the blowtorch back on Kyrgios.

“It was really bad from my side. For his part, all the circus show going on on the other side of the net started to become very tiring,” the Greek star said.

“It didn’t hit any people, thank God. For sure I’m never doing that again. But something created that behavior”

As the match wore on the two players became even more aggressive towards each other, with Kyrgios catching him unaware with his underarm serves.

The Australian won another point off a drop shot that caught the tape and trickled over the side of the net.

Players normally apologise to their opponents when that happens, but Kyrgios raised his arms triumphantly and bowed to the crowd.

Tsitsipas got drawn into Kyrgios’ mind games - and suffered an early exit as a result. Picture: Getty
Tsitsipas got drawn into Kyrgios’ mind games - and suffered an early exit as a result. Picture: Getty

On another point, Tsitsipas smashed an overhead in the direction of Kyrgios that almost hit him. The Aussie replied sarcastically “nice shot.”

The umpire asked both players to calm down as things looked like getting out of control but it made little difference as they continued their rants until Kyrgios clinched victory.

His next opponent on Monday is American Brandon Nakashima.

Originally published as Wimbledon results, news: Nick Kyrgios def Stefanos Tsitsipas in fiery third-round clash

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/tennis/nick-kyrgios-v-stefanos-tsitsipas-follow-all-the-latest-news-before-their-wimbledon-clash/news-story/592a67b4bd820079c1130afb02031b4d