Despite a neck and shoulder injury, Nick Kyrgios battles through pain to defeat Nakashima and progress to the last eight.

Nick Kyrgios has once again proven his ability to rise to the occasion at Wimbledon, battling through an injury to secure a hard-fought win over Brandon Nakashima in the fourth round. The Australian star, known for his unpredictable temperament, displayed a more restrained approach on court, though his progress was not without struggle.

Kyrgios, who has experienced a series of highs and lows during this year’s tournament, was notably subdued in his latest encounter. His usual fiery antics were largely absent, as he focused on managing discomfort from a neck and shoulder injury that required treatment from the physio and painkillers during the match. Despite these issues, Kyrgios triumphed 4-6, 6-4, 7-6, 3-6, 6-2, extending his impressive run at Wimbledon, where he previously reached the quarter-finals in 2014.

The match was a departure from the usual spectacle associated with Kyrgios, as he refrained from the usual histrionics. Instead, he concentrated on getting the job done. The Centre Court crowd, known for anticipating both fireworks and frustration, were treated to a more controlled display, despite Kyrgios’ physical limitations. His serving speed and forehand were clearly affected by his injury, yet he still managed to dominate in key moments, especially in the deciding set.

The Australian’s performance was a mix of efficiency and flair, with his shot-making still evident even when hindered by pain. The first set was a quiet affair, with neither player able to break decisively until Kyrgios suffered an untimely forehand error. But he responded strongly, breaking Nakashima’s serve to level the match at one set all. The injury flare-up during the second set brought out the physio once more, and after some brief discomfort, Kyrgios played more freely in the third set, ultimately claiming it in a tiebreak.

A double fault from Nakashima in the tiebreak proved pivotal, and Kyrgios capitalised on this moment of vulnerability to take the set 7-2. Despite an earlier hiccup in the fourth set when he briefly lost his composure, Kyrgios regrouped and shifted the momentum back in his favour. With four straight games in the deciding set, he raced to a 5-0 lead, closing out the match with authority.

Kyrgios, reflecting on the victory, admitted that it wasn’t his best performance but expressed satisfaction at his ability to grind through the pain. “I’m super happy to get through today. My five-set record’s pretty good. I’ve never lost a five-set match here,” he remarked, looking ahead to the quarter-finals.

The win marks another milestone in a Wimbledon campaign that has seen Kyrgios struggle to maintain consistency, yet he remains one of the most compelling players in the draw. As he moves forward, it will be fascinating to see how his injury impacts his game and whether he can continue to thrive on one of tennis’ biggest stages.