U.S. Open, Nick Kyrgios cross and delight: passes Khachanov in fifth set

Russian takes it 6-4 in the fifth

Credited, after having eliminated world number one Daniil Medvedev, as one of the tournament’s favorites, Nick Kyrgios is stopped at the most beautiful point in the quarterfinals: after almost four hours of battle he in fact passes Karen Khachanov, who thus reaches his first career semifinal in a Slam.

Compared to the match he won against the number one seed at Flushing Meadows, and in general compared to the attitude also displayed in the previous rounds, the Australian fell back into the tantrums that then constitute a limitation to his game and concentration. In fact, the very famous tweener, played in full battle with his opponent, was seen again, and broken rackets, bottle throwing and warnings from the umpire judge resurfaced. A nervousness translated on the court into a very high number of unforced errors – as many as 58, almost twice as many as his opponent – and in general a lack of mental presence in playing the decisive points. 7-5 4-6 7-5 6-7 (3) 6-4 the final score in favor of the Russian.

In the semifinals there goes, therefore, and deservedly so, the 26-year-old from Moscow, who will now face in the penultimate act of the tournament Casper Ruud, already executioner of our Matteo Berrettini.