Nadal doubtful for Wimbledon semi-final against Kyrgios

“It’s something I hate to do. So I kept trying, and that was it.”

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Winner of a record 22 slam titles, Nadal said it was impossible to predict whether he would play Kyrgios in midfield on Friday.

“I don’t know,” said Nadal.

“Tomorrow I will have some more tests. But it’s hard to know.”

He said he was used to playing in pain, “but let’s see. It is clear that today is nothing new. I had this feeling for several days. Without a doubt, today is the worst day.”

Kyrgios advances to the semi-finals

Previously, Kyrgios put his domestic drama aside to ramble on and advance to the semifinals of Wimbledon for the first time.

Kyrgios was too powerful for Garin, nearly 24 hours after learning he was required in ACT Magistrates’ Court on Aug. 2 to potentially face a general assault charge amid reports that he kidnapped his ex-girlfriend Chiara Passari in an incident before Christmas last year.

It’s hard to know if the impending court date bothered him, as he put on a Kyrgios signature display on the No.1 field of play.

The hot-tempered man berated the boxside on the touchline – which includes his father, sister and current girlfriend Costeen Hatzi – almost from the start for not appearing to offer enough support.

“After all… I expected more,” Kyrgios shouted from the start.

“Something… SOMETHING! There are five of you. You five,” he pleaded after failing to convert any of the two break-back points in the sixth game.

But after dropping the first nine points of the match, Kyrgios shouted “come on” when he finally grabbed a serve break to forge a 4-3 lead on his way to taking the opening set.

The fiery Canberran continued his verbal battle throughout the match, often reminding his entourage how Garin came back from two sets to happily beat fellow Australian Alex de Minaur in the fourth round.

“Does anyone know that? Does anyone know we’re at Wimbledon?” he groaned.

Nick Kyrgios is in control against Cristian Garin.Credit:Getty Images

“Good job,” he clapped mockingly into his box on another occasion after a double-fault before repeating the move when Garin got a lucky net cable to make a double break point.

Despite all the charades, Kyrgios beat the South American in straight sets to finally fulfill his rich potential and reach the semifinals of a grand slam for the first time.

Showing no sign of the shoulder injury that had bothered him in his previous game, Kyrgios hit 17 more aces to take his record as tournament leaders to 120.

He only dropped serve once – in the opening game of the match after Garin opted to return.

Cristian Garin of Chile plays a forehand against Nick Kyrgios.Credit:Getty

Kyrgios is the first Australian to reach the semi-finals of the men’s singles at the All England Club since 2002 champion Lleyton Hewitt reached the last four 17 years ago.

“[I’m] very proud of the way I came back here and with my team and was able to enjoy it,” he said after the game.

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Three-time defending champion Novak Djokovic and England’s ninth seed Cameron Norrie will appear in the other semi-finals on Friday.

Tomljanovic lost in the quarter-final fight

Ajla Tomljanovic’s run at Wimbledon ended in the quarter-finals, with the Australian losing to Elena Rybakina in a tough three setters where her momentum was evident in the second set.

It was a consecutive top-eight finish at Wimbledon for Tomljanovic, 29, who will be disappointed by this loss after he started the match on court one with all his guns on display.

Ajla Tomljanovic played a forehand against Elena Rybakina.Credit:Getty Images

In a tense match, the world number 44 lost 6-4, 2-6, 3-6 in one hour 51 minutes to the 17th seed.

Tomljanovic took control early and didn’t waste a hard-earned serve in the third game, keeping her nose in front to win the first set after just 30 minutes.

But Rybakina found her rhythm not long after, leveling at 2-2 to come back in the next seven games to not only claim the lead but choke the match.

Elena Rybakina beat Aussie Ajla Tomljanovic.Credit:AP

From then on, it was effectively mission impossible for Australia.

“I felt like in the middle of that second he really raised his level. I mean, he’s starting to serve really well. And just a little mistake from behind [of the court],” said Tomljanovic.

“I was a bit disappointed by the fact that I didn’t stick with him in the third set.

“After getting to 0-3, 1-4, it was very difficult [to stay in the match].

“I tried to fight my way back. It is too far. I mean, those 3-5 games, again, he served really well.

“[I’m] just disappointed because I felt like with my game I was really there.”

Tomljanovic, who previously dated Kyrgios, also said he hoped there would be a resolution to the situation facing his ex-partner and ex-girlfriend Chiara Passari.

“It’s been a long time since our relationship ended,” Tomljanovic said. “Obviously I’ve always kept my relationship very private. I want to keep it that way.

“I hope it gets resolved.”

Rybakina will now face former Wimbledon champion Simona Halep in the semifinals after the 2019 champion defeated American Amanda Anisimova 6-2, 6-4 in one hour and three minutes.

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