Kyrgios tips fireworks against Raonic

Nick Kyrgios is predicting fireworks when he faces another free-swinging, big-serving, rising star of world tennis in the Wimbledon quarter-finals.

Kyrgios’ historic four-set triumph over world No.1 Rafael Nadal set up a last-eight showdown with Canadian eighth seed Milos Raonic on Wednesday.

Raonic achieved his best career showing at the All England Club with a 4-6 6-1 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 fourth-round win over Japanese 10th seed Kei Nishikori on Tuesday.

At 23, the Canadian is considered a future superstar of the sport and is already the youngest man inside the top 10.

Like Kyrgios, a huge serve is the cornerstone of his game and the Australian is expecting plenty of short, sharp tennis.

Kyrgios leads the tournament with a staggering 113 aces in four matches but Raonic is just behind with 108.

“Milos has probably got the best serve in the world,” Kyrgios said.

“There’s going to be a lot of walking from side to side from his serve and there’s going to be a lot of winners in the match.

“It’s going to be hard to find rhythm.

“Holding serve is going to be important.”

The pair met only last month at the French Open, with Raonic prevailing in straight sets in a first-round encounter, but the grass is likely to prove more of a leveller.

Both men had two days off before their fourth-round matches but face the challenge of a quick back-up from four-set encounters on Tuesday.

Kyrgios, though, feels he has the advantage of a nothing-to-lose attitude and says he’ll return to centre court with the fearless attitude he displayed against Nadal.

“It’s going to be a tough ask but I’m going to do everything possible and see how my body responds tomorrow,” Kyrgios said.

“If I come up short, I come up short. I’m going to give it my best shot and, whatever happens, happens.”

Kyrgios hardly needs any added incentive to reach the last four at Wimbledon but a win could set up a semi-final against his idol Roger Federer.

“That would be extraordinary,” said Kyrgios, who spent a week training with the Swiss maestro in Zurich last month.

“To play Roger would be a dream.”

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