HEATED
Nick Kyrgios rages at umpire and supervisor, demands opponent Stefanos Tsitsipas is disqualified and refuses to play before sealing dramatic victory at Wimbledon in thrilling third round clash
Nick Kyrgios was up to his usual antics as he won a dramatic third round encounter with Stefanos Tsitsipas at Wimbledon on Saturday.
In a heated showdown on Court One - which saw both players receive warnings from the umpire - Kyrgios sealed a 6-7 (2) 6-4 6-3 7-6 (7) victory to dump out the number four seed.
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The quality of tennis on show was outstanding but this contest will be remembered for the animosity on show between the fired-up rivals.
Kyrgios had lost the first set on a tiebreak, then battled back to claim a late break and level things up with the second set - after he had received a code violation for swearing.
However, just moments after he successfully won the set with some magnificent tennis, the 27-year-old - currently ranked 40 in the world - was absolutely fuming.
Tsitsipas reacted to the loss of the set by hitting a ball into the crowd.
As a result, the 23-year-old received a code violation warning of his own from the umpire.
Kyrgios saw this as unjust and demanded that Tsitsipas should be defaulted for the infringement.
The Australian branded the umpire a 'disgrace' and then called for the supervisor to come out instead.
Upon his arrival onto the court, Kyrgios argued with the supervisor and said he would refuse to play on until his opponent was thrown out.
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"Give me all the supervisors," he added, "I'm not playing until we get to the bottom of it."
During this time, Tsitsipas went inside for a break. He was booed by the crowd as he re-emerged.
Ultimately, Kyrgios' protests went unheard and he eventually relented and agreed to play on.
Kyrgios then broke for 3-1 in the third set with a zinger of a forehand winner.
It was then Tsitsipas' turn to lose his head when Kyrgios held with another underarm serve, lashing out at the ball to earn a point deduction.
As Tsitsipas complained bitterly to the umpire Kyrgios stood on the baseline, almost whistling innocently as if butter would not melt.
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Moments later Kyrgios was bowing to the crowd after landing a drop shot on top of the net, before it fell Tsitsipas' side to help clinch the third set and sum up the Greek's luck.
With the clock ticking towards 9pm, the roof was closed and when hostilities resumed Kyrgios crashed down an ace to take the fourth set to another tie-break.
It was a scintillating climax finished by a drop shot, a wild celebration and confirmation that the Kyrgios roadshow will rumble into the second week.
Unsurprisingly, the handshake between the two was brief at the end, although Kyrgios insisted the animosity will not rumble on in the locker room.
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"Honestly it was a hell of an atmosphere and an amazing match," said Kyrgios.
"I felt like I was the favourite coming in. I had my tactics. It was a hell of a match.
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"He was getting frustrated at times, but it's a frustrating sport. Whatever happens on the court, I love him."
American Brandon Nakashima - the world number 56 - will be next up for Kyrgios.
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