US Open: Nick Kyrgios beat Daniil Medvedev to reach quarterfinals as Russians lose world No. 1 | Tennis News

Nick Kyrgios has his eye on the grand prize after a stunning win over defending champion Daniil Medvedev to reach his first US Open quarter-finals.

The Australian, who reached the Wimbledon final earlier this summer, put on a stunning display of power and touch to win 7-6 (11) 3-6 6-3 6-2 .

Medvedev beat Novak Djokovic to win his first Grand Slam title in New York 12 months ago but he was beaten by better player Arthur Ashe and will now lose his number one spot.

Kyrgios has spoken extensively about his team’s influence and wants to make the months away from Australia valuable by finally living off his immense talent.

“I’ve been in some really tough situations mentally and in some really scary places,” the 27-year-old said.

“Obviously if you look at it on paper, maybe I wasn’t expected to win like that. Maybe I’ll win a set or two if I’m lucky. Let’s see.

“It was a great win. But I leave the field and I’m almost relieved that it’s over because there’s so much pressure every time I go out on the pitch, so much expectation, so much uncertainty about what’s going to happen. what can i do.

“I was just sitting there in the dressing room afterwards and I was so proud of the performance because there was a time when I didn’t think I could produce and do this anymore.

“I struggled mentally for the first six, seven years of my career. I’ve had great results, shocking results, trying really hard will go up in smoke. Honestly I I don’t know how to face anything. I beat myself up. It’s too hard. It’s not healthy.

“I look back, it’s all been a learning process until now because I’ve matured a lot. I know the process now is what it takes to get to the final of a big game. Not to win, but to get to the final.

“This is the last big tournament of the year. We have to try, overcome difficulties and keep pushing each other, keeping a positive attitude. Next week we will go home. But there is a possibility of three. more matches, then we never have to play tennis again.”

Kyrgios entered the fray with a win over Medvedev in Montreal last month and drew his first blood after an epic opening round.

Down 4-1, Kyrgios smashed his racket on the court as Medvedev leveled 5-5, but the Russian could not get three points.

Momentum dashed towards Kyrgios and, after another smash of his racket for a missed opportunity, he played an ice-cold shot and then won his fourth set point.

The Australian’s concentration wavered in the second set but he now knows how to reset and from the start of the third round he was locked in, grasping again and again on serve. by Medvedev and fueled one of the best victories of his career.

Kyrgios was even able to happily shrug at an odd moment early in the third set when he appeared to have set a break point but went around the post to lose a ball on Medvedev’s side, hence the lost points.

The Russian revealed he was unwell afterward, blaming the US’s love of air conditioning, but crediting Kyrgios for his performance.

Prime Minister Medvedev said: “It was a class match. “I played Novak, Rafa. They all played great. Nick played at their level today, in my opinion. If he plays like that until the end of the tournament, he has it all. a chance to win.”

Rafael Nadal is extremely well positioned to become world No 1, although Casper Ruud and Carlos Alcaraz are also competing.

Medvedev said: “I will not cry in [press] room, but I was a bit disappointed. For a few days, I’ll just be a little sad, looking at my phone, laptop, or watching some movies.

“But that’s the motivation, let’s try to do better. Obviously it was the last shot of the year. I didn’t do well enough.”

In the final eight, Kyrgios will face another Russian in Karen Khachanov, who beat Pablo Carreno Busta 4-6 6-3 6-1 4-6 6-3.

There was also a fifth goal between Matteo Berrettini and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, which the Italian 13th seed won 3-6 7-6 (2) 6-3 4-6 6-2 to set up a clash with Ruud.

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