RAFAEL NADAL follows a familiar pattern this time of year – swapping clay for grass and grass for sand as the world number one exited Wimbledon last night and headed for the beach.

Wilcard Nick Kyrgios produced a stunning performance to become the first man from outside the world’s top 100 to beat the world number one at a Grand Slam in 22 years.

And it leaves Nadal questioning whether he’ll ever add to his two career titles at the All England Club – especially as he has failed to make the last eight here for the last three years.

Nadal, so dominant on the pedestrian red clay of Roland Garros last month, has stuttered though out this tournament.

He’d lost the opening set of his previous three matches but against big-serving Krygios, the world number 144, he couldn’t comeback slipping to a 7-6, 5-7, 7-6, 6-3 defeat.

“Life continues. I going to go to the beach in Mallorca and I’m going to enjoy some time with friends and family,” he said.

“I lost, it’s not a drama. It’s nothing strange. I lost in four sets having my chances, only losing one serve. It is not about the grass. I won in the French Open, I’m having a great season and I am playing well.

“He just did the right things better than me and that’s the difference. I didn’t play really bad but that’s the game on this surface.”

Kyrgios might boast a lowly ranking but Andy Murray has already spoken about his ability to make an impression on the world’s top ten in the years ahead – and this was a coming out party to remember.

He banged down 37 aces at a top speed of 133mph and won 83 percent of his first serves.

And like many teenagers he simply showed no fear of the big occasion.

“I was in a bit of a zone out there,” he said.

“You have to believe that you can win the match from the start and I definitely did. I am playing really well on grass.”

The Northern Echo:
VICTORY DANCE: Nick Kyrgios celebrates beating Rafael Nadal

Nadal’s defeat opens up the draw for seven-time champion Roger Federer, who faces fellow Swiss Stan Wawrinka in the quarter-finals.

Federer was at his commanding best in a straight sets win over Tommy Robredo, dropping just nine games in a one-sided 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 scoreline.

Robredo is a dangerous opponent – he beat Federer at last year’s US Open – but the former world number one produced a virtually flawless exhibition of grass court tennis. His timing was spot on, he served impeccably, he chipped, charged and came to the net with confidence in a brilliantly balanced performance.

He even had time to get off the court to watch Switzerland’s World Cup match with Argentina, a game that ended in a 1-0 defeat.

At least against Wawrinka the nation is guaranteed a winner and a spot in the last four.

“It will be amazing to play Stan in the quarter-finals here, hopefully on Centre Court, because things like that don’t happen too often in Swiss sport,” he said.

“I’m pleased with the way I am playing. I’m moving well, serving well and doing all the things right that you need to be doing to go deep into this tournament.

“I feel my game is right there. The important thing is to keep it up and not have any let-downs for five or 10 minutes when you are not feeling quite right.

“I am healthy, things are where I want them to be, but the quarter-finals is really where the tournament starts.”