Australian Nick Kyrgios has lost a five-set quarterfinal battle against world No.31 Karen Khachanov at the US Open.
New York, USA, 7 September 2022 | Leigh Rogers
Nick Kyrgios’ career-best run at the US Open has ended with a five-set quarterfinal loss.
The 27-year-old Australian was knocked out of the tournament at Flushing Meadows today, with big-serving Karen Khachanov recording a 7-5 4-6 7-5 6-7(3) 6-4 victory in a see-sawing three-hour and 39-minute encounter.
Kyrgios had been aiming to reach his first US Open semifinal. It would have made him the 11th Australian man in the Open era to achieve the feat and the first since Lleyton Hewitt 17 years ago.
But Khachanov ruined those plans, subduing the in-form Kyrgios with his powerful game. The 26-year-old Khachanov, a former world No.8, fired 30 aces and hit 62 winners to reach his maiden major semifinal.
“I’m obviously devastated,” Kyrgios said. “But all credit to Karen. He’s a fighter. He’s a warrior. I thought he served really good today. Probably the best server I played this tournament, to be honest, the way he was hitting his spots under pressure.”
That semifinal feeling.@karenkhachanov fights past Nick Kyrgios in five intense sets. pic.twitter.com/c0vfZ5XbNf
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 7, 2022
There was only a single break in a tight opening set, with Khachanov striking in the 12th game. The world No.31 finished the set with 15 winners and just two unforced errors. Kyrgios struck 19 winners of his own, but 13 unforced errors proved costly.
Kyrgios was noticeably flat and after undergoing a medical timeout for a left knee complaint, it appeared his chances were quickly fading.
Yet the world No.25 bounced back to secure his first break of the match in the third game of the second set and held this advantage to level at one-set apiece.
With the Arthur Ashe Stadium willing him into the match, Kyrgios’ intensity lifted.
Both players struggled to grasp their opportunities in a critical third set. Kyrgios was unable to convert any of the four break points he earned. While Khachanov squandered two set points in the 10th game, one with a wild forehand.
Khachanov earned two more set points in the 12th game. This time he only needed one, clinching a two-sets-to-one lead when Kyrgios netted a backhand.
Kyrgios fought back early in the fourth set, breaking in the fifth game. But was unable to consolidate, losing his serve in the next…
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