By Rory Carroll
NEW YORK (Reuters) -Nick Kyrgios crushed world number one Daniil Medvedev’s dreams of a title defense at the U.S. Open on Sunday with a 7-6(11) 3-6 6-3 6-2 victory to reach the quarter-finals and ensure there will be a new top ranked 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 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 on-court interview before a sold-out 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.”
The 23rd-seeded Kyrgios will be a heavy favourite to beat 27th seed Karen Khachanov when they meet on Tuesday.
(Reporting by Rory Carroll in New York; Editing by Christopher Cushing & Shri Navaratnam)
