Tsitsipas sets up Kyrgios clatter at Wimbledon

LONDON: World number five Stefanos Tsitsipas sailed into the third round with a 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 win over Australia’s Jordan Thompson at Wimbledon on Thursday, setting up a mouthwatering third-round match against Australian maverick Nick Kyrgios.

Spanish 17th seed Bautista Agut became the third possible dangerman in Rafael Nadal’s half of the draw to pull out with coronavirus, following the withdrawals of 2021 runner-up Matteo Berrettini and 2017 finalist Marin Cilic.

Nadal has also helped from a shock first-round exit for Canada’s sixth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Greek fourth seed Tsitsipas and the temperamental Kyrgios remain major threats to the 36-year-old Spaniard’s hopes for a third Wimbledon crown.

Kyrgios was on his best behaviour on court as he steamrollered Serbian 26th seed Filip Krajinovic 6-2, 6-3, 6-1.

The 27-year-old, who made the quarter-finals on debut at the All-England Club in 2014, did not face a single break point.

“I just wanted to remind everyone that I am pretty good,” he said. “I was nowhere near my best in the first round but today I was in my zone.” Kyrgios’s five-set opening win over Paul Jubb of Britain was marred by his admission that he spat in the direction of fans, accusing them of being disrespectful.

“There was just nothing the media possibly could tell me I did wrong today,” he said. “I just know that you can’t possibly ask me anything and stir anything up.”

In the women’s tournament, Karolina Pliskova, last year’s beaten finalist, suffered a shock 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 defeat to British wildcard Katie Boulter while women’s fourth seed Paula Badosa set up a clash against two-time champion Petra Kvitova.

Boulter, the world number 118, will next face Serena Williams’ conqueror Harmony Tan. Unseeded Frenchwoman Tan stormed into round three with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Spanish 32nd seed Sara Sorribes Tormo.