Nick Kyrgios knocked out defending champion Daniil Medvedev from the US Open on Sunday.
The temperamental Aussie produced some scintillating tennis en route a 7-6 (11), 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 win over the World No 1 from Russia.
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“It was an amazing match, obviously Daniil as the defending champion had a lot of pressure on his shoulders, but I’ve been playing amazing the last couple of months,” Kyrgios said after the win.
Serving for the US Open quarterfinals, Nick Kyrgios delivered this. 🥶️@Heineken Serve of the Day | #USOpen pic.twitter.com/ONXF2fGqY7
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 5, 2022
Medvedev meanwhile said the mercurial Kyrgios had elevated his play to the same level as great such as Rafael Nadal and Djokovic.
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“Nick today played kind of at the level of Novak and Rafa,” said the 26-year-old after seeing 21 aces and 53 winners whizz past him.
Kyrgios emerged victorious despite a third-set gaffe that would have thrown many players for a loop.
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The 27-year-old cost himself a break point opportunity at 30-all when he ran around the net to hit on the full a Medvedev floating volley that clearly lacked the velocity to make it back into play.
It was for pure comic relief, but the chair umpire correctly awarded the point to Medvedev, who would serve out the game.
Nick Kyrgios lost the point by doing this 😅 #USOpen pic.twitter.com/lG5qPjfMhH
— ESPN (@espn) September 5, 2022
Kyrgios will face Karen Khachanov in the quarter-finals on Tuesday.
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Fifth seed Casper Ruud became the first Norwegian man to reach the US Open quarter-finals with a 6-1, 6-2, 6-7 (4), 6-2 victory over French lucky loser Corentin Moutet.
The 23-year-old Ruud, seeded fifth, will face Italy’s Matteo Berrettini for a place in the semi-finals.
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In the women’s draw meanwhile, rising American star Coco Gauff kept home hopes alive with a battling 7-5, 7-5 win over China’s Zhang Shuai on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The 18-year-old 12th seed will now play France’s in-form Caroline Garcia for a place in the semi-finals.
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