Kyrgios risks fine for losing cool at Wimbledon against Gasquet

Nick Kyrgios could be punished after going into a sulk and appearing to stop trying during his Wimbledon fourth-round defeat by Richard Gasquet.

The 20-year-old Australian downed tools early in the second set of the clash on Court Two, where he was also reprimanded for swearing and arguing with British umpire James Keothavong over a change of socks.

It was the code violation for an "audible obscenity" that seemed to spark the petulance from Kyrgios, who was a break down when Keothavong warned him over his language.

Kyrgios was booed by hundreds of fans who were unhappy by his lack of effort, and it barely improved as he gave up the second set in just 24 minutes.

From 5-5 in what was an absorbing opening set, Frenchman Gasquet was given a helping hand as he extended his run of games to seven in succession before Kyrgios stopped the rot.

International Tennis Federation rules state: "A player shall use his best efforts to win a match when competing in a Grand Slam tournament. Violation of this section shall subject a player to a fine up to £12,860 for each violation."

Additionally, the rules state: "In circumstances that are flagrant and particularly injurious to the success of a tournament, or are singularly egregious, a single violation ... shall also constitute the major offence of 'aggravated behaviour' and shall be subject to the additional penalties."

That allows the ITF to impose a penalty of £160,000.

Kyrgios trailed 7-5 6-1 6-7 (7-9) after three sets of the dramatic five-set contest, picking up his game for the third and saving two match points in the tie-break.

He saved nine when beating Gasquet in the second round last year, and this time Gasquet smashed his racquet at the end of the third set, crunching it into the grass and then smashing it against his chair in frustration.

The third set also saw Kyrgios and Keothavong - brother of former player Anne Keothavong - in a bizarre exchange over the Australian adjusting his kit.

"I'm changing my socks," Kyrgios explained to Keothavong at the changeover following the third game. "I've taken one pair off. I've got two on and I'm taking one pair off."

After Keothavong replied to Kyrgios, the player from Canberra said: "I'm staying on the court. If you're going to get angry with me for that, that's another level.

"Mate, Rafa (Rafael Nadal) and stuff play 30 seconds in between points every time and all I'm doing is putting my sock back on."

Referring to Gasquet, Kyrgios said: "I'm sure he'll understand. Do you wanna ask him?"

Kyrgios then shouted from his chair to Gasquet on court: "Richard, I'm just changing my socks."

As Gasquet raised no objections, Kyrgios added: "Yeah, he's fine...unbelievable."

Kyrgios may have survived a tense third set, but his French opponent held his game together in a see-saw fourth-set tie-break to make the quarter-finals.