3 minute read
Title hopeful Nick Kyrgios is among 10 Australians scheduled for action on a bumper second day at Wimbledon.
Yearning for another deep, overdue grand slam run, Nick Kyrgios is ready to play the villain's role when he opens his Wimbledon title bid.
Kyrgios is among 10 Australians in action on day two of the championships at The All England Club on Tuesday.
Tennis's ultimate showman takes on British wildcard Paul Jubb on show court No.2 knowing this time he won't be everyone's favourite.
"I know I just got to ride the waves emotionally out there because the crowd is obviously going to be behind the local," Kyrgios said.
"I'm used to wearing that kind of black hat, the villain-type role. I'm going to embrace it. I'm just going to go out there and play the game.
"If you look at the results I've had the last couple weeks, if I just stick to my guns, the results say I should win pretty easy. I know it's not going to be the case. I've got to be pretty focused."
For all his rich potential, the 27-year-old hot-head knows time is ticking away and that he must keep his cool to give himself a shot at grand slam glory.
Kyrgios is still to make even a grand slam semi-final.
"It's like not many people have gotten over the hump of winning a slam. I'm one of the people that has to deal with that every week," he said.
"Like, 'Oh, he's probably one of the biggest wastes of talent. He should be winning a slam.'
"Not many people have actually gotten over that hump in singles. It's obviously something I want to get over, and hopefully one day.
"I know from a confidence standpoint, I'm never low on that. I've had some good runs here at Wimbledon, at the Australian Open. I've always run into someone that's pretty much in their prime.
"I played (Andy) Murray here in the fourth round when he won the final 4-4-4. He was in his prime. My draw was ridiculously tough to get there.
"I think honestly the best chance I ever had to win a slam was (in 2015) when I made the quarter-finals. I had (Milos) Raonic in the quarter-finals, up a set and a break. That's as close as I've been."
Aussie No.1 Alex de Minaur also opens his campaign, while West Australian qualifier Astra Sharma resumes her first-round match against Tatjana Maria that was suspended under darkness on Monday night.
Sharma will be serving with the scores locked at one set all.
Fellow qualifiers Zoe Hives and Jaimee Fourlis, wildcard Daria Saville plus AjlaTomljanovic, Jordan Thompson, Jason Kubler and Alexei Popyrin also play.
AUSSIES IN ACTION AT WIMBLEDON ON TUESDAY (PREFIX DENOTES SEEDING):
Women's singles, first round
Zoe Hives v 5-Maria Sakkari (GRE)
Daria Saville v Viktoriya Tomova (BUL)
Astra Sharma v Tatjana Maria (GER) 6-4 3-6
AjlaTomljanovic v 18-Jil Teichmann (SUI)
Jamiee Fourlis v Kirsten Flipkens (BEL)
Men's singles, first round
19-Alex de Minaur v Hugo Dellien (BOL)
Nick Kyrgios v Paul Jubb (GBR)
Jordan Thompson v Roberto Carballes Baena (ESP)
Jason Kubler v 28-Dan Evans (GBR)
Alexei Popyrin v Hugo Gaston (FRA)
