WATCH: Kyrgios defeats Nadal in dramatic fashion

By Cody FitzpatrickPublished February 28, 2019

2019 Acapulco: N. Kyrgios vs. R. Nadal Second Round Highlights

Nick Kyrgios pulled off a thrilling 3-6, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (6) win over Rafael Nadal in the second round of Acapulco, on Wednesday, and the match had absolutely everything: from fierce forehands to jumping drop shots to an apparent Kyrgios illness to the Australian saving three consecutive match points.

It even featured an underhand serve. (The ball didn't land in.):

(🎥@TennisTV ) pic.twitter.com/2O2BS4AE6B
— doublefault28 (@doublefault28) February 28, 2019

A death stare regarding Kyrgios' lightning-fast play:

pic.twitter.com/VwKJxy8l1M
— doublefault28 (@doublefault28) February 28, 2019

And one of the quickest handshakes you'll see all year:

The handshake (🎥@TennisTV ) pic.twitter.com/a12MwHKA2m
— doublefault28 (@doublefault28) February 28, 2019

When it was all over, boos rained down from the pro-Nadal crowd:

2019 Acapulco: N. Kyrgios vs R. Nadal Round of 16 Match Point

Nadal afterward made measured but critical remarks about Kyrgios' attitude.

Nadal: "Kyrgios is a player who has enormous talent, could be winning grand slams or fighting for the No. 1 ranking. He lacks respect for the crowd, his opponent and towards himself." pic.twitter.com/sVso2HIwyL
— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) February 28, 2019

Kyrgios later wrote on Instagram: "Don’t doubt yourself, there are plenty of people who will do that for you. I can smell the blood when I play this dude"

The Aussie's career record versus Nadal is now an even 3-3, but he faces a quick turnaround in the quarterfinals against another multiple Slam winner, Stan Wawrinka, on Thursday. Kyrgios' career record with him is 2-3.