Kyrgios ends Medvedev’s title defence
NEW YORK: Nick Kyrgios crushed world No 1 Daniil Medvedev’s dreams of a title defence at the US Open yesterday with a 76 (1311), 36, 63, 62 victory to reach the quarterfinals and ensure there will be a new topranked player when the tournament concludes.
In a meeting worthy of a Broadway show between two of the game’s biggest servers and most combustible personalities, it was the fiery Australian who was the better in the match’s biggest moments, showing off a renewed focus and fitness.
‘‘It was an amazing match,’’ Kyrgios said in an oncourt interview before a soldout crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
‘‘Daniil is the defending champion so there’s a lot of pressure on his shoulders, but I played really well.
‘‘I’ve been playing amazing the last couple months and what a place to do it, packed house in New York.
‘‘I’m extremely blessed.’’ Kyrgios, a Wimbledon finalist this year, has recorded the most wins on tour since the end of the French Open.
‘‘If [Kyrgios] plays like this till end of the tournament, he has all the chances to win it,’’ Medvedev said.
Kyrgios will face Karen Khachanov after the Russian beat twice semifinalist Pablo Carreno Busta, of Spain, in a tough fivesetter, prevailing 46, 63, 61, 46, 63 to reach his third grand slam quarterfinal and first in New York.
Italian Matteo Berrettini dug deep to prevail 36, 76 (72), 63, 46, 62 over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina to reach his second straight quarterfinal at Flushing Meadows.
Up next for Berrettini is fifth seed Casper Ruud, of Norway, who ended lucky loser Corentin Moutet’s fairytale run with a 61, 62, 67 (47), 62 triumph over the Frenchman.
In the women’s draw, just two days after spectacularly ending Serena Williams’ storied career, Australian Ajla Tomljanovic snapped the 13match, 18set winning streak of Liudmila Samsonova with a tenacious 76 (108), 61 fightback against the redhot Russian.
The 29yearold battled back from 52 down in the opening set and saved eight set points in an epic 18minute game to draw level at 55.
After fending off her eighth set point in the tiebreaker to snatch the set, Tomljanovic seemingly broke Samsonova’s spirit.
‘‘I’m just trying to stay as calm as long as possible even though inside I’m dying,’’ she said.
Tomljanovic has now reached backtoback grand slam quarterfinals, after making the last eight at Wimbledon six weeks ago for the second year in a row.
Rising American star Coco Gauff (18) battled to a 75, 75 win over China’s Zhang and will play the inform Caroline Garcia for a place in the semifinals after the Frenchwoman defeated American Alison RiskeAmritraj 64, 61.
Tunisian fifth seed Ons Jabeur, runnerup at Wimbledon, extended her careerbest run in New York by beating Russian Veronika Kudermetova 76 (71), 64 to set up a meeting with Tomljanovic.