Nick Kyrgios is into the last eight of Wimbledon for only the second time of his career following a five-set win over Brandon Nakashima on Centre Court.
In a match that noticeably lacked the fireworks and raucous atmosphere of his previous contests, Kyrgios, who cut a subdued figure for much of the early going, came from a set down to prevail 4-6 6-4 7-6 3-6 6-2 And that was despite him being seemingly hindered by a shoulder injury, with the controversial star receiving regular treatment.
It didn't take long for Kyrgios to get the crowd excited with a second serve ace, but rather than act as the catalyst for him to burst into life - the Australian seemed flat and uninspired for the remainder of the set. And at 5-4 down on serve, a forehand winner from Nakashima left the world No 29 at 0-30 down.
Two meek unforced errors followed as the American took the set in little over 30 minutes. And early on in the second, a seemingly deflated Kyrgios appeared to be in discomfort, frequently feeling his right shoulder.
Sure enough, after another unforced error at 1-1, Kyrgios looked at his support box and shouted"I can't hit the forehand." But still, a Nakashima double fault gifted him a first break point.
He couldn't take it, but another double fault, followed by a mishit forehand, ensured a break as the youngster looked flustered for the first time in the contest. Play was then held up while Kyrgios received treatment from the physio and doctor, but he remerged with renewed purpose as he consolidated the break with a game to love.
And he didn't seem to be hampered as he ramped up his serving, a 14th ace bringing him a 5-3 lead. Although Nakashima forced him to serve out the set, the pre-match favourite duly did so, another ace helping him recover from 15-30.
But at 2-2 in the next set, Kyrgios produced an erratic game, trying to pull off an ambitious drop shot from the back of the court which barely reached the net. After Nakashima held, the Australian then had a second medical timeout, raising the prospect of an early retirement.
He proceeded to get treated at intervals between games, and on court, neither player was able to stamp their authority on a tight second set, and a 23rd Kyrgios ace took matters to a tie-break. Two more service winners helped take him into a 6-2 lead, before a superb cross-court return sealed him the set.
Nakashima refused to buckle though, surviving a break point in his opening service game before at 3-3, he fashioned two break points of his own - only needing one as Kyrgios flayed a backhand wide. A clearly rattled Kyrgios then produced an another error-strewn service game at 5-3 as the 20-year-old levelled matters.
But at 1-1 in the decider, Kyrgios finally found his fire, arguing with the umpire before producing two fierce returns to get the decisive break. And that finally ended the stubborn resistance of Nakashima, who was broken again before at 5-2, Kyrgios, who racked up 35 aces in all, finished matters with a clinical volley.
It mean Kyrgios continued his record of never losing a five-set match at Wimbledon, and set up a last eight clash with unseeded Chilean player Cristian Garin. He also came through a five-set marathon on Monday, battling back from two down to beat 19th seed Alex di Minaur.
