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London — Nick Kyrgios defeated Chilean Christian Garin 6-4 6-37-6 (5) at Wimbledon on Wednesday to reach the first Grand Slam semi-final of his checker career.
The unseeded 27-year-old lost nine opening points on Court 1, but eventually for Garin, who wanted to be the first Wimbledon semi-finalist in Chile. The firepower was too great.
Beyond his previous best Wimbledon Run up to the quarterfinals eight years ago, Kirgios will be the first Australian to reach the Grand Slam semifinals for 17 years.
On the eve of the match, Kirgios was summoned to appear in Canbella's court next month on suspicion of assault. This is not an ideal preparation for one of his biggest matches.
However, the off-court distractions he was able to put on one side with a relatively small amount of display occasionally sprinkled instinctive shotmaking that made him such a draw.
Like the five-set victory over American Brandon Nakashima in the previous round, Kirgios regularly blamed his considerable aides as the match prolonged, but overshadowed his volatile temperament. I hid it.
Again his serve supported his game and dug him out of trouble whenever Garin threatened to pull himself back into a contest that drifted from him after his quick start.
After defeating two sets of Kilgios compatriot Alex Deminaul in the previous round, Garin fights hard to extend the third set to a tiebreaker, and Kilgios hits. Leaded 5-3 before. Go back to earn the last 4 points.
One of the great mysteries of tennis will be against Rafa Nadal or Taylor Fritz in the semi-finals.
"Again, great atmosphere," said Kirgios. "I never expected to enter the Grand Slam semi-finals. I thought the ship had set sail — I might have wasted that window in my career.
" Team I'm really happy to be here and perform with you. "(Report by Martyn Herman, edited by Ed Osmond)
