Aussie Kyrgios survives scare to see off British wildcard Paul Jubb in five sets

By Charlie Stong on Court No.2 at Wimbledon

Australian Nick Kyrgios survived a huge scare to beat British wildcard Paul Jubb in five pulsating sets on Wimbledon’s Court 2 this afternoon.

The Aussie hothead got embroiled in a verbal altercation with the chair umpire early in the match before taking his ire out on more than one of the line judges – calling one a ‘snitch’.

And after his epic 3-6, 6-1, 7-5, 6-7, 7-5 win, Kyrgios laid into a fan who he accused of being too “rowdy”.

He said: “The crowd was a bit rowdy today. They were pretty critical of me and you know who you are.”

Kyrgios was forced to battle throughout the contest, which lasted more than three hours.

Jubb, the world number 227 who had lost all his four previous matches at ATP Tour level prior to today, took the first set in commanding style, breaking in the eighth game before holding to 15 to see out the set 6-3.

The Australian responded in flamboyant style, breaking twice in a quick-fire second set to take it 6-1.

He then broke to make it 6-5 in the third set before inexplicably playing a needless between-the-legs half-volley at triple match point – losing the point in the process.

However he served out for a two sets to one advantage.

Jubb responded in the fourth set as both players held serve throughout before the Brit took the tie-break to level things again.

And Jubb appeared the more likely victor in the early stages of the final set, forcing Kyrgios to save two break points in the first game – and another in the fifth game.

The Aussie’s big serve was keeping him in the match, and he made what appeared the decisive break in the very next game, setting up break-point with a wonderful cross-court forehand before Jubb hit a forehand wide right to hand Kyrgios the advantage at 4-2.

Jubb responded and forced a break to make it 4-5, but after that the Aussie’s serve held firm and he broke again in the twelfth game to take the set 7-5.

After Kyrgios said: “He (Jubb) had nothing to lose and he played some excellent tennis.

“Wimbledon the past two years has been strange but it is special playing out here and playing on courts like this.

“I am happy to be through and now want to just rest up.”

Pictured top: Nick Kyrgios saw off plucky Brit Paul Jubb on Court No.2 (Picture: Charlie Stong)