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London - Wimbledon giant-killer Nick Kyrgios claimed another impressive scalp as the Australian youngster got revenge on Milos Raonic with a 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 third round victory on Friday.
Kyrgios's memorable Wimbledon debut, which included a stunning upset of Rafael Nadal, was ended by Raonic in a tight four-set quarter-final last year.
But the 20-year-old made amends for that loss as he eliminated the Canadian seventh seed to set up a last 16 clash with French 21st seed Richard Gasquet.
Kyrgios, seeded 26th, hit 34 aces and blasted 61 winners in two hours and 42 minutes of hard-hitting action on Court Two.
Chipped approach
"I lost my focus a bit towards the end of the first set, but I knew what my gameplan was and I stuck to it. I toughed it out," Kyrgios said.
"Last year I tried to hit too many winners off his serve. This time I went to the chipped approach and it worked."
Kyrgios faces another rematch in the fourth round against Gasquet after beating the Frenchman in a dramatic five-setter in the second round last year.
"Last year I came from two sets down against him, but he is a savvy veteran and beat (Grigor) Dimitrov in straight sets today (on Friday) so he must be playing well.
"I don't fear anyone. I feel I'm playing better tennis than last year.
"I'm going to serve well and stay aggressive whoever I play. If I do that I've got a pretty good chance."
The flamboyant and fiery Kyrgios has earned a reputation as something of a malcontent after a series of rows with umpires and line judges, including shouting 'dirty scum' during one disagreement, in the first two rounds.
He had found himself in trouble with Wimbledon officials again on Thursday when he was told off for climbing a wall to watch compatriots Lleyton Hewitt and Thanasi Kokkinakis play doubles on a crowded court.
And it didn't take long for Kyrgios to start indulging in more colourful antics against Raonic, dropping his racket and standing frozen to the spot with look of mock confusion after completing missing a return of serve.
Forehand winner
Trying to stay in the first set at 5-6, Kyrgios went into meltdown with three double faults to gift the lead to Raonic.
Kyrgios earned a warning after hurling his racket early in the second set.
But the youngster gathered himself well enough to produce a brilliant cross-court forehand winner that secured his first break of the match at 5-5 and effectively sealed the set.
Waving his racket in time with the chants of the Australian fans, Kyrgios was in the groove now and he took the third set with an immaculate tie-break before a dominant fourth set sealed the win.
