Khachanov outlasts Kyrgios in late-night NYC epic

Nick Kyrgios put up a five-set fight before finally falling 7-5, 4-6, 7-5, 6-79(3), 6-4 to Karen Khachanov early Wednesday morning to end his dream run at the US Open in the quarter-finals.

Khachanov will now face off on Friday against fifth seed Casper Ruud, who dispatched Matteo Berrettini 6-1, 6-4, 7-6(4).

Between them, the pair of big hitters launched 60 aces – 30 each – in a struggle which lasted for nearly four hours.

Khachanov is into his first major semi-final: “I did it,” he said. “It was a crazy match.

Nick Kyrgios in action during his singles quarter-final match. Photo: Simon Bruty/USTA

“I was expecting it would be like this, but I was ready to run and fight.

I had opportunities in the fourth set but he played an amazing tiebreaker. After I lost it I just told myself to win the fifth set.

“I focused on the finish and I got the win.”

Khachanov now has two days off to get ready for Ruud, this season’s Roland Garros finalist against Rafael Nadal.

“I would like to win it,” he said of his immediate goal, my expectations are rising up.

“I have nothing to lose, I’ll try to be ready and hope I can pay well.”

Kyrgios and Khachanov drilled each other with nearly 40 winners in a tight first set, which was only decided 7-5 as Khachnov lofted a winning lob over his opponent to claim the opening set in 38 minutes.

Kyrgios took a massage on his left knee – he told the trainer “I can’t walk without pain” – after indicating the problem to his player box earlier during play.

The knee did not appear to be an issue for the remainder of the marathon match.

The Wimbledon finalist Australian who has become the night crowd favourite broke for a 2-1 lead and took his margin to 3-1.

Kyrgios moved out to 5-3 but missed on two set points while leading 5-4; he got a third chance as Khachanov netted , with the Aussie sending a blistering backhand out wide for a winner to square it up at a set each.

Late in the fifth set Kyrgios, down a break, served a love game to stay in touch 4-5.

Bill Scott

Recent Posts

Nadal goes down in final match

Rafael Nadal lined up for what was to be the final match of his career…

3 days ago

Sinner flattens de Minaur in runaway home start

Jannik Sinner took charge in front of his home crowd on Sunday, crushing ATP Finals…

2 weeks ago

Madcap Medvedev suffers temperamental Turin Finals loss

Daniil Medvedev went into meltdown mode on Sunday during a highly charged 6-4, 6-3 loss, with opponent…

2 weeks ago

Team Sinner considering skipping Monte Carlo

Jannik Sinner could well be missing from the opening European clay event of next season…

2 weeks ago

Davis Cup Final to mark Nadal goodbye to tennis

Rafael Nadal will bring down the curtain on his career next month as he plays his…

1 month ago

Wimbledon lowers the boom on human linecalling

Wimbledon on Wednesday brought an end to human linecalling at the most traditional of the…

1 month ago