27-year-old Australian, Nick Kyrgios is out of the US Open after eventually being beaten by Russia’s Karen Khachanov in a tense quarter-final in New York last night.
Kyrgios, who needed treatment on his left thigh after the first set, lost 7-5, 4-6, 7-5, 6-7 (3-7), 6-4 to 27th seed Khachanov.
Khachanov (26) is into his first major semi-final after edging the bigger points.
He plays against Norwegian fifth seed, Casper Ruud, who beat 13th seed, Matteo Berrettini 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4).
Rafael Nadal’s exit in the last 16 against American, Frances Tiafoe on Monday means that a first-time Grand Slam men’s singles champion will be crowned at the U.S Open in New York on Sunday.
Khachanov, who trailed to Briton, Jack Draper in the third round before Draper got injured, still has the chance to be champion after beating 23rd seed Kyrgios with a composed performance in which he saved seven of nine break points.
The world number 31 edged a tight opener when the first break point of the match went his way in the 12th game, with Kyrgios requiring treatment afterwards and saying he was struggling to walk.
But Kyrgios recovered and found top gear in the second set to level the match.
The Wimbledon runner-up continued to create chances in the third set, but grew frustrated when his forehand broke down in the ninth game and stopped him taking any of two break points.
After clattering his racquet on the court, Kyrgios was unable to forget the missed opportunities as he served.
Kyrgios survived two set points in the 10th game, the first when Khachanov inexplicably hit a poor drop-shot into the stands, but could not see off another in the 12th game after Khachanov’s relentless returning continued to draw out errors.
Kyrgios ranted angrily and smashed a water bottle, which seemingly helped him to mentally reset in the fourth set and take a slow-burning match into a decider with a composed tie-break.
Khachanov took Kyrgios’ serve in the first game of the fifth set, superbly saved break points in his next two service games, and maintained a high level under serious pressure to clinch victory.
A furious Kyrgios destroyed two racquets before swiftly leaving court, with what seemed like a good chance of winning his first major left in tatters.
