Top seed Daniil Medvedev beaten by Nick Kyrgios at US Open after a long rain delay.
Nick Kyrgios was up and down in the decider in Houston after the rain-delayed match, ending with a hard-fought straight-sets victory over No. 1 seed Daniil Medvedev, who had led by two sets to love. Kyrgios saved four match points at 6-5 in the sixth game of the deciding set in the second set tiebreaker before pulling off the big upset over Medvedev, who is bidding for a record-tying 15th Grand Slam title.
The 18-year-old Australian took the first set 7-5 but lost the next four games. He made it back to level in the second, though, winning the first game of the second set.
Kyrgios continued to play well in the third set, and was up 10-8. Medvedev then served out the match to claim the second set.
It was tough for Medvedev to deal with a man who he says he knows and likes better than anyone. Kyrgios said it has always been his dream to be a tennis champion.
“I know it’s a dream to play against him,” Kyrgios said. “He’s playing better than I ever have.”
Medvedev led 6-2 in the second set, and looked to have the set in hand. Kyrgios then broke him on serve on match point. He was then down a set, but won the next three games.
“It was tough, no question about it,” Medvedev said. “But I can say I was really happy to win this match in the end. I couldn’t feel my legs and my arm. It’s a hard match and a tough match mentally.”
It will likely be a long road for Medvedev in the near future. He will next return to his native country of Australia to take part in the national finals. There, he will be the odds-on favorite.