Nick Kyrgios' dreams of a first Grand Slam title is over following a five-set quarter-final defeat by Russia's Karen Khachanov at the US Open.
After reaching the Wimbledon final this summer, Kyrgios arrived in New York motivated to try to go one better but he was unable to match the levels he showed in beating defending champion Daniil Medvedev in the fourth round. Instead, it is Russian Khachanov who progresses to a first slam semi-final after prevailing 7-5 4-6 7-5 6-7 (3) 6-4 victory just before 1am.
Having initially been dignified in congratulating Khachanov, Kyrgios then inevitably showed his frustration by smashing two rackets and then storming off court. The pair had previously become embroiled in a Twitter spat in 2020 over the coronavirus pandemic, with Kyrgios labelling his rival an "absolute pelican."
After the sublime nature of his display against Medvedev on Sunday, Kyrgios looked flat in the opening stages at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. He took a medical timeout after losing the opening set for treatment on his left knee, having indicated to his box that he was struggling to walk.
But having lost the first set, the controversial Australian responded to level the match, but the the third set proved critical.. Kyrgios had two chances to break at 4-4 but could not take either, hurling his racket angrily after the second went begging,.
Khachanov though, missed a huge chance to break in the next game but a mishit forehand went wide. However, in the next Kyrgios service game the 27th seed did take his chance, laving the Canberra man to rant at his box and earn his now customary warning for unsportsmanlike conduct after slamming a drinks bottle on the ground.
The 27-year-old has already been fined a total of 18,500 US dollars (approximately £16,000) for four separate offences this tournament, including spitting, swearing and smashing his racket. That followed him racking up three separate fines at SW19, again for spitting and audible obscenities.
Kyrgios was then staring down the barrel late in the fourth set but then upped the ante in the tie-break to force a decider. But even with the crowd vociferously behind him, he gave up the initiative in the opening game of the fifth as Khachanov broke.
Kyrgios battled to get back on level terms but Khachanov kept his nerve to set up a semi-final clash with Casper Ruud, who defeated Matteo Berrettini. The Norwegian could yet end his fortnight at Flushing Meadows as the world No 1, if he reaches the final.
"I'm obviously devastated. But all credit to Karen. He's a fighter. He's a warrior. I thought he served really good today," said Kyrgios afterwards. "He just played the big points well.
"There really wasn't anything in it. I just feel like it was either winning it all or nothing at all, to be honest. I feel like I've just failed at this event right now. I honestly feel like s**t. I feel like I've let so many people down.
And the world No 25 outlined his desire to continue to complete in Slams: "I feel like these four tournaments are the only ones that ever are going to matter. It's just like you've got to start it all again. I have to wait until the Australian Open. It's just devastating, it's heart-breaking. Not just for me, but for everyone that I know that wants me to win."
