'Giant killer' Kyrgios KO's Nadal, enters Wimbledon quarters

Nineteen-year-old Australian Nick Kyrgios shocked world tennis on Tuesday by knocking out 14-time grand slam champion Rafael Nadal in a four-set pre-quarter-final Wimbledon encounter.

Delivering the most outstanding performance of his fledgling career, Kyrgios shocked World No. 1 Nadal 7-6 (7-5) 5-7 7-6 (7-5) 6-3.

It was the first time a teenager has beaten a world No 1 at the majors since 2005, reports the Daily Telegraph.

The last player to manage such a feat was Nadal himself, who beat Roger Federer at the French Open.

Watched from the members' pavilion by Australian greats Rod Laver and Neale Fraser, Kyrgios dissolved in emotion after putting dual Wimbledon champion Nadal to the sword on the most famous tennis court on the planet with a trademark forehand winner.

His father George and sister Halimah shed tears in the players' box as the reality of triumph took hold.

Icily composed, the Australian prodigy blasted 37 aces in a truly astounding serving performance. By the end of the match, Nadal, grand slam tennis's ultimate warrior, was broken and baffled on losing to world No 144 Kyrgios.

No male world No 1 had fallen to a player ranked outside the top 100 since Russian Andrei Olhovskiy, then ranked 193rd, stunned Jim Courier at Wimbledon 21 years ago.

After his extraordinary achievement, Kyrgious said he was not all surprised, and added that a player needs to always believe in himself to win.

Nadal, on the other hand, said, he tried and lost, and there was no scope for drama.

Kyrgios will now face Canadian eighth seed Milos Raonic for a spot in Friday's semi-finals.

The teenager is guaranteed at least USD 432,000 and a rankings rise to world No 66 - only 18 months after he stood at No 828.