Eight-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer overcame a first set scare to reach the second round on Tuesday beating South African debutant Lloyd Harris 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2. Federer's great rival Rafael Nadal also went through in easier fashion beating Japanese qualifier Yuichi Sugita 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 to set up a fascinating tussle with fiery Australian Nick Kyrgios.
Kyrgios - who stunned Nadal as a 144-ranked wildcard on his tournament debut in 2014 - put in a typically raucous and charismatic display to claim a 7-6 (7/4), 3-6, 7-6 (12/10), 0-6, 6-1 win over countryman Jordan Thompson.
"Not sure that me and Rafa could go down to the Dog & Fox and have a beer together," said a typically frank Kyrgios on their relationship.
However, Nadal refused to add fuel to the fire on Tuesday ahead of Thursday's clash.
"I am too old to get into all this stuff," the 33-year-old said when asked for his view on facing a man who he accused earlier this year of "lacking respect".
"I believed in what I said but I am not going to get into a fight with anyone."
Federer admitted it had taken time to get going against a far form over-awed opponent, who was hampered later on with a calf injury.
"I struggled early on, my legs were frozen and the ball was not going where I wanted it to," said Federer.
Querrey, a Wimbledon semi-finalist in 2017, prevailed 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/1), 6-3, 6-0. Barty beat China's Zheng Saisai 6-4, 6-2 while Kerber, the fourth seed, beat fellow German Tatjana Maria 6-4, 6-3.
Comments
Comments are closed.