KYRGIOS TAKES DOWN MEDVEDEV TO MOVE INTO MAIDEN US OPEN QF

[23] Nick Kyrgios (AUS) def [1] Daniil Medvedev 7-6(11), 3-6, 6-3, 6-2

Nick Kyrgios has claimed the biggest win of his tennis career, overcoming world number one and defending champion Daniil Medvedev to progress to his first US Open quarterfinal.

In his third match at three majors this year against the top seed, Kyrgios played unbelievably well – this time coming out victorious in an epic battle on Arthur Ashe.

In a tight opening set, Kyrgios and Medvedev exchanged breaks of serve as both looked to get the New York crowd on their side early.

A dramatic tiebreak then followed – both players having three missed set point opportunities, before the Australian finally capitalised on his fourth to take it 13-11.

The breaker included a Kyrgios backhand volley down set point which landed in by millimeters, before a series of exquisite drop shots under pressure to take a one set lead.

After a draining tiebreak, Kyrgios’ level immediately dropped in the second – broken twice and finding himself 5-1 down.

A slight lapse from Medvedev saw the Wimbledon finalist draw back to 5-3, before the Russian held his serve to level the contest at a set a piece.

Another tight third set saw an unbelievable Kyrgios brain fade, running around the net to hit a ball that was dropping out – a foul shot in the tennis rulebook.

As we’ve seen countless times this season, the 27-year-old Aussie remained unphased, breaking Medvedev the following game and serving his way to a two sets to one lead.

In a scintillating fourth set clinic, Kyrgios managed multiple breaks of serve and comfortably held his own to close out the contest.

“It was an amazing match. Obviously, Daniil is the defending champion and has a lot of pressure on his shoulders, but I played really well,” Kyrgios said in his on-court interview.

“I’ve been playing amazing the last couple of months. But what a place to do it, packed house, New York – I’m extremely blessed.”

For potentially the first time in his career, Kyrgios clearly has the belief that his level can take him to the final weekend of a major – and to a Grand Slam singles title.

“This is the last trip before I head back to Australia. I want to go all the way. Hopefully, it’s possible.”

Despite not playing the French Open, Kyrgios has now won 10 matches at Grand Slams in 2022 – the most he has ever won in a single season.

The Australian will now face another Russian in Karen Khachanov, who overcame Pablo Carreno Busta in five sets.

The pair hold a 1-1 head-to-head, including a thrilling four-and-a-half-hour battle at the 2020 Australian Open.