Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning the men's singles second round match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and Nick Kyrgios of Australia at the 2019 Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Britain, on July 4, 2019. (Xinhua/Lu Yang)
Rafael Nadal defeated Nick Kyrgios of Australia in the second round of the men's singles at Wimbledon on Thursday, but Angelique Kerber's title defense was halted by Lauren Davis in the second round in three sets.
Nadal had lost to Kyrgios at Wimbledon in 2014, but this time the Spaniard defeated his opponent 6-3, 3-6, 7-6, 7-6, making only 16 unforced errors compared with Kyrgios' 27 to keep alive his hopes of winning a 19th Grand Slam title.
"I was just next to him so I don't want to comment on this, but potentially he is a Grand Slam winner." Nadal said.
Nadal won the first set easily, but Kyrgios pulled one set back and took the upper hand at the beginning of the third set. The 24-year-old Australian lived up to his controversial reputation with frequent outbursts, prompting the chair umpire to issue him with an official warning.
In the women's singles, Davis saw off defending champion Kerber 2-6, 6-2, 6-1. For the 95th-ranked player, entering the third round equals her best showing at any Grand Slam tournament.
"I wouldn't say that I was surprised, because I always believe in myself. She's obviously an incredible champion; I have immense respect for her," Davis said.
"I definitely believe in myself and believe that I can hang with these girls and beat them," the 25-year-old added.
In the other key matches, Nadal's old rival Roger Federer secured a last 32 spot by defeating Jay Clarke of Great Britain 6-1, 7-6, 6-2. Serena Williams edged Kaja Juvan of Slovenia 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, as she seeks her eighth trophy at the All England Club.
China's Wang Qiang, seeded number 15, eased past Tamara Zidansek of Slovenia 6-1, 6-2 to reach the women's singles third round for the first time at Wimbledon.
Another Chinese player Wang Yafan lost to No.9 seed Sloane Stephens 6-0, 6-2, while Zheng Saisai and Duan Yingying defeated Magdalena Rybarikova and Stefanie Voegele 6-2, 6-3 in the women's doubles.
