By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Nick Kyrgios continued his stellar grand slam year after scoring one of his biggest career wins and ousted defending champion Daniil Medvedev in just four sets of the 2022 US Open – 7.6, 3.6, 6.3, 6.2.
From qualifying in the grand finals of the Wimbledon tournament to reaching the quarterfinal stage of the US Open, Kyrgios is having one of his best tennis campaigns since experiencing a post-season drought during the past years.
A hungrier and more matured Kyrgios struck early against Medvedev and tallied several forehand bombs during a hard-earned first-set win.
Kyrgios was able to temper his emotions during the roller-coaster win as Medvedev pulled off some counters that exposed his inconsistencies with the backhand stroke.
The move paid off in the second set as the defending champion was able to equalize the match at one set apiece but Kyrgios had a successful bounce back and dominated the last two sets.
Kyrgios played the percentages and turned to his slice stroke whenever Medvedev threw the ball at his backhand side, helping him minimize his unforced errors that turned the tables in the last 30 minutes of the duel.
Medvedev tried to apply pressure in the net and went to his serve-and-volley offensive technique but Kyrgios’ down-the-line winners sealed the deal and negated any short ball placements.
“I’m just glad I’m finally able to show New York my talent. I haven’t had too many great trips here,” said Kyrgios after the match.
With the win, the Australian tennis sensation will set up a fiery quarterfinal clash with Karen Khachanov, one of the upcoming power hitters in today’s generation.