Nick Kyrgios’ bid for a first Wimbledon title remains right on track after recording a hard-fought four-set win against Radek Stepanek in the first round on Tuesday. Kyrgios will look to keep the momentum going this coming Thursday when he takes on German star Dustin Brown in the round of 64.
Who will emerge victorious in this battle of tennis entertainers? Read on below for an in-depth breakdown of this mouth-watering second-round clash and while you’re at it, you can check out our previews of Tsonga vs. Monaco and Murray vs. Lu.
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Nick Kyrgios secured a place in the second round of Wimbledon with a tough 6-4, 6-3, 6-7 (9), 6-1 win over Radek Stepanek on Tuesday. It was a gritty performance by the 21-year-old Australian who overcame a highly-disputed third-set code violation. Kyrgios, who improved to 2-0 against Stepanek, blasted 48 winners and won 72 percent of his first serve points. What proved to be the difference in the match, though, was Kyrgios’ highly-efficient play. He committed just 22 unforced errors against Stepanek.
Next up for Kyrgios is a second-round clash with unseeded Dustin Brown. This will be the first meeting between Kyrgios and Brown in the ATP Tour. For Kyrgios to beat Brown, he needs to improve on his play on the receiving end. He won just 37 percent of his receiving points in the match against Stepanek. Kyrgios made the most of his opportunities, however, as he converted six of his 16 break point chances against the Czech star.
Kyrgios is 6-4 in his last 10 matches. He is pegged at +2,000to win this year’s Wimbledon.
Dustin Brown barged into the second round of Wimbledon with a nerve-wracking 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Dusan Lajovic on Tuesday. It was a terrific comeback by Brown who needed two hours and eight minutes to eliminate the gutsy Serbian. With the victory, Brown is through to the round of 64 at Wimbledon for the third time in his career.
He will face his toughest test, though, this coming Thursday as he will lock horns with hotshot Nick Kyrgios. The Australian’s fiery temperament reared its ugly head once again in the opening round of this year’s Championships, as he became embroiled with another spat with chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani.
For Brown to record a massive upset against Kyrgios, he will need to get his service game going quickly. The German star won 76 percent of his first serve points against Lajovic. Brown also needs to impose his aggressive style of play against Kyrgios if he is to advance to the round of 32. He won 55 of his 86 net points against Lajovic in the opening round.
Brown is 8-2 in his last 10 matches.
Writer’s Prediction
Kyrgios (-900) edges past Brown in a five-set thriller.
