US Open 2022 is witnessing one of the best if not the best version of it yet. Rafael Nadal bowed out earlier to Frances Tiafoe from the United States. The latter opined that the big-three era was drawing to a close and people must start accepting the same. Nick Kyrgios, the Australian, has now walked away with a defeat.
Karen Khachanov, the star tennis player from Russia, produced a stellar performance to clinch a five-set win against Kyrgios. The 26-year-old and the Australian kept the spectators on the edge of their seats. The Flushing Meadows arena saw a four-hour match that looked like going either way until the Russian came out on top.
The 27th seed clinched the win with a score line of 7-5, 4-6, 7-5, 6-7(3), 6-4 to reach the semis. Post victory, in the on-court interview, Khachanov opined on the win and said that it was a great match to win.
“Crazy match like I was expecting it would be. I am ready to run, to fight, to play five sets. We played again for almost four hours and that’s the only way to beat Nick I think,” he said post-match. The first set was all the Russians until the fiery 27-year-old counterpart bounced back to win the second set.
Before the start of the second set, Kyrgios sought medical attention claiming that couldn’t walk. Amid speculations of him retiring, he pounced with fire on the fourth set to equal the score line post-Khachanov’s third set win.
I tried to stay focused in the match: Karen Khachanov
Karen Khachanov said that he tried to stay focussed and enjoy the game. He added that it felt good to defeat Kyrgios and was happy to brace for the next game
“I tried to stay focused in the match. I had some opportunities in the fourth set but he played an amazing tiebreak and what can I do?” he said post-match.
Khachanov added that he wanted to win more games for his country. “I can stay focused and try to win the next set. I’m really proud of myself, I was really focused from the beginning to the end and I got the win,” he concluded.
