Model pro Kyrgios shocks by letting tennis do talking

Australian remains box office but he was polite and efficient throughout his fourth-round victory on Centre Court

- Barney Ronay

Just when you think you know someone, that’s when they go and let you down. On a balmy afternoon in front of a fond, even – whisper it – quietly adoring Centre Court crowd, Nick Kyrgios confirmed his own mercurial nature, his basic inconsistency by remaining controlled, rigidly polite and an all-round model pro and steady guy throughout this fourth-round win against Brandon Nakashima .

In victory Kyrg ios was gushingly courteous towards his 20-year-old opponent. He paid tribute to his girlfriend (“the best girlfriend in the world”), referenced his many friends in tennis and name checked his many excellent conversations with “Andy” . He even deflected a question about the potentially ruleskirting Air Jordans he had worn to walk on court with a wink and the words, “You keep doing you champion”.

And at times watching this it was hard to know what exactly a dramahungry global media was supposed to do with it? What’s the line here? Is Kyrg ios killing tennis by being too bland and efficient? Does he need to loosen up a little? In the event Kyrgios won this slow-burn five -set match with something to spare, running up a 5-1 lead as he raised his levels in the final set. He will now face Cristian Garín in the quarters .