It’s going to be a spectacular matchup in the third round of the 2015 Wimbledon Championships when Milos Raonic takes on the streaking Nick Kyrgios. The two already met in the quarterfinal of last year’s Wimbledon after Kyrgios upset highly-favored Rafael Nadal in the fourth round. Kyrgios ultimately lost to Raonic after a closely-contested four-set match which included two tiebreakers.
Can Kyrgios even the score against Raonic at the All England Club? Read on as we break down the Grand Slam action to come. Don’t miss out on the other big matches at Wimbledon. Check out the complete previews for Novak Djokovic vs. Bernard Tomic and Stan Wawrinka vs. Fernando Verdasco.
Milos Raonic was clinical in dispatching Tommy Haas 6-0, 6-2, 6-7(5), 7-6(4) in the second round of the Wimbledon Championships. He was firing on all cylinders connecting on 29 aces — one of which set the record as the third fastest serve in Wimbledon history (145 mph). He also saved all three break points that he faced.
[sc:Other240banner ]Raonic has devastated his opponents with a powerful first serve. He’s won 81 percent of his first serve points through two matches at the tournament thus far. The Canadian had plenty of success with his power in his most recent match against Nick Kyrgios, a quarterfinal match in last year’s Wimbledon. Raonic fired 39 aces won 88 percent of his first serve points.
Winning return games will also be crucial against a fellow strong server in Kyrgios. Raonic has also been able to break his opponents’ serves at this tournament, winning 8 of 20 break point opportunities. He won 37 percent of return points in his quarterfinal match against Kyrgios last year.
Raonic has won all two of his career matches against Kyrgios.
Nick Kyrgios is a steamroller at this year’s Wimbledon. He’s won his first two matches in straight sets while nursing a sinus infection at that. While Kyrgios hasn’t displayed too much power—he’s only fired 28 aces throughout the first two rounds—he’s been excellent on serve winning 74 percent of service points. He’s been broken only once by a break point attempt in the first two rounds.
What makes Kyrgios effective is his ability to break his opponents’ serves. He’s won 50 percent of break point opportunities throughout the first two rounds at Wimbledon. He should have an advantage when facing Raonic’s less powerful second serves. But Kyrgios has had trouble against Raonic’s serve in the past, winning just 24 percent of return games through their two career head-to-head matchups.
Kyrgios could have some success in moving Raonic across the court. The Canadian doesn’t have a dominant backhand, and that could cost him some points. A few well-placed shots from the net could help Kyrgios deal with Raonic’s powerful style. Kyrgios has won 61 percent of his net points at the tournament thus far.
Kyrgios has won four of his last five matches on grass this season.
Writer’s Prediction
Kyrgios (+180) upsets Raonic to make the fourth round of Wimbledon.
