Wimbledon Day 8: Kyrgios jibe loved, Gauff rejects X-rated moniker, birds disturb Nadal

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Nick Kyrgios spared us the theatrics on Day 8 of Wimbledon but was still great value as he came through a pulsating five-set match with Brandon Nakashima to reach the quarter-finals. Rafael Nadal, meanwhile, also marched on with a comfortable victory on Centre Court. Here, Express Sport runs you through the things you may have missed as the second week of Wimbledon kicked off

‘MOANING’ KYRGIOS PUT IN HIS PLACE

It’s not every day that Nick Kyrgios is stumped for words. Even today, when he looked spent and Brandon Nakashima was growing in confidence, he pulled out an answer from somewhere.

But early in the decisive set, the Aussie star was well and truly caught cold when one fan shouted out: “Stop moaning.” Kyrgios had been complaining to the umpire about an incorrect challenge and – characteristically – wouldn’t let it lie easily. 

The Centre Court crowd were largely in support for Kyrgios – apart from the solitary man who intermittently shouted ‘USA! USA!’. But everyone in attendance couldn’t help but laugh when Kyrgios was told off by a fan.

Normally, Kyrgios bites back – and had done at fans who had got on his nerves during this match – but for once, he had nothing to say. I shouldn’t think it’ll be a regular reoccurrence.

GAUFF NOT A FAN OF NEW NICKNAME 

Coco Gauff has rejected the crude new doubles nickname for her and Jack Sock circulating online – but she has seen the funny side.

The 18-year-old is playing at Wimbledon alongside her compatriot Sock in the mixed doubles, with the pair playing in the quarter-final on Monday evening.

Some fans have dubbed the duo ‘Jackauff’ on social media. Gauff caught wind of the nickname and replied to a post online about the new nickname: “How about we do not use this team name please,” accompanied by a laughing emoji.

NADAL DISRUPTED BY BIRDS

Just as Rafael Nadal was about to serve during the first set on Monday, a flock of tweeting birds flew overhead on Centre Court. 

Nadal stopped short of serving and looked upwards with a puzzled expression, drawing laughter from the crowd.

Not long after that, Nadal started flying away himself as Botic van de Zandschulp struggled to pin down the Spaniard, who eventually went on to claim a straight-sets victory.

FRITZ BEATS MUM’S WIMBLEDON FEAT

Taylor Fritz has grabbed the family bragging rights after going on better than his mum.

The American went further than his mother managed at Wimbledon on Monday by defeating Jason Kubler to reach the quarter-finals. His mum, who was then Kathy May, reached the fourth round at Wimbledon in 1977 but never managed to go beyond.

Speaking about the influence of his mum, dad and uncle, who all played as pros, Fritz said: “Obviously growing up in such a tennis family, being around tennis so much, Wimbledon is I guess like ‘the’ tournament. It’s the most well-known slam probably, the most history to it.

“The only thing I remember is someone was able to get like a video of my mom playing Billie Jean King here. I don’t know how they were able to get it from the tape to a CD copy of it. I think my mom was like 17 or 18 when she played the match. She got beat 1-1. That was kind of funny to watch, I think.”

Fritz will have the opportunity to go even further when he takes to the court again on Wednesday. There’s one problem there though: Rafael Nadal stands in his way. That’s not to say it’s impossible though, after all he did defeat the Spaniard at Indian Wells earlier this year.

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