Nick Kyrgios produced another devastating serving display as he dispatched defending champion Feliciano Lopez in straight sets to reach the semi-finals at Queen's Club.
The day after his personal-best barrage of 32 aces proved too much for Briton Kyle Edmund, the Australian No.1 matched that tally exactly to book his place in the last four with a 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-3), win and a showdown with top seed Marin Cilic.
Overpowering: Nick Kyrgios celebrates winning his quarter-final against Feliciano Lopez at the Queen's Club in London.
Photo: AP
His 32 aces on Friday accounted for 50 per cent of the service points Kyrgios won against Lopez.
And its potency was clearly visible when facing set point on his serve at 5-6 in the second set, he quickly quelled the danger with another booming ace out wide.
"I can't really remember a specific time where I've served at this level back to back," Kyrgios admitted afterwards.
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"I didn't expect to serve the way I did yesterday [against Edmund], but I just found my rhythm early again in this match. But I felt like I had to. He was serving pretty good today."
Kyrios, who has also beaten two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray in the London grasscourt tournament this week, was facing Lopez for the second time, having beaten him in a three-set quarter-final last week in Stuttgart.
The veteran Spaniard, 36, was bidding to reach his fourth semi-final in 13 years at Queen's Club but although the first set went with serve, it was Kyrgios who clinched it in a tie-break that featured a brace of exquisite backhands.
Lopez refused to yield as he tried to match the world No.21 but it was Kyrgios who prevailed again, winning the second tie-break on 95 minutes to march into the last four and post another warning he must now be considered a real contender for Wimbledon.
The 23-year-old is into his third ATP World Tour semi-final of the season, including his victory at the Brisbane International.
Kyrgios has been troubled by hip and elbow injuries this season but he revealed he is in good shape heading into his clash with Cilic.
"I'm managing my hip and doing a couple of hours of treatment on that every day," he said.
"But my main focus is my elbow. My elbow is feeling good, which is the most important thing."
Earlier, Cilic ensured his passage to the last four when he beat American Sam Querrey 7-6 (7-3), 6-2.
And Novak Djokovic, looking for his first Queen's Club title, also booked his place as he beat Frenchman Adrian Mannarino 7-5 6-1.
Jeremy Chardy of France later takes on American Frances Tiafoe.
AAP
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