Gasquet tips Kyrgios for grand slam glory

Beaten Frenchman Richard Gasquet says Nick Kyrgios is capable of reaching the world's top five and winning grand slams in the future.

Beaten Frenchman Richard Gasquet has tipped future grand slam glory for Nick Kyrgios after an agonising loss to the Australian teenager at Wimbledon.

The 13th seed failed to convert nine match points as 19-year-old Kyrgios prevailed 3-6 6-7 (7-4) 6-4 7-5 10-8 in a classic encounter on Thursday.

Gasquet defeated Kyrgios in straight sets on clay during France's Davis Cup win in La Roche sur Yon in February and said afterwards he felt the Australian could become a top 10 player.

However the world No.14 appeared to revise his predictions after Kyrgios displayed his fighting qualities to reach the Wimbledon third round.

"In the future he can be top five, he can win a grand slam of course," Gasquet said.

"But he is still young, a lot of things can happen.

"Injuries and many things can happen so don't put too much pressure on him."

While Gasquet has been plagued by a back injury in recent months, he came into Wimbledon in good form having finished runner-up at Eastbourne last week.

"Of course I was very sad losing after nine match points but that's tennis," Gasquet said.

"He plays very good. He came up with big points on big moments and he's a great player for the future."

Gasquet is the biggest scalp of Kyrgios' career so far, with his previous biggest win coming against 51st-ranked Radek Stepanek on his grand slam debut at last year's French Open.


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