Russia’s Karen Khachanov was delighted after he defeated Nick Kyrgios in the quarterfinal of the US Open at the Flushing Meadows on Tuesday. The 27th seed won the contest in a five-set thriller to confirm his semifinal berth.
Khachanov took the game by 7-5, 4-6, 7-5 6-7(3) 6-4 in three hours, 39 minutes as he came up with his best. The Russian served immaculately as fired 30 aces and got the better off Kyrgios.
It was a fine performance from the 26-year-old from Moscow and he was proud of his effort against the Australian, who has been in great form in the recent past.
“I did it! I did it!,” Khachanov said. “I’m really proud of myself, I was focussed from the beginning to the end. “It was a crazy match but I came ready to fight and to play five sets.”
The contest was neck to neck and Khachanov was able to break Kyrgios serve early into the fifth set and didn’t let go of his advantage till the end.
“From the beginning until the end, great performance – at least I will talk about myself, from my side,” Khachanov said in his post-match press conference. “I stayed there. I waited for my chances. I created them as well. I’m super happy, super proud that I could finish the match, I could take it. Serving for the match [is] never easy. [I am] just super happy to do this step forward to make my first semi-final.”
On the other hand, Nick Kyrgios gave credit to Karen Khachanov for playing a better game.
“I’m obviously devastated. But all credit to Karen. He’s a fighter. He’s a warrior. I thought he served really good today,” Kyrgios said in his post-match press conference. “Honestly probably the best server I played this tournament. The way he was hitting his spots under pressure. He just played the big points well.
“Really wasn’t anything in it. I’m just devastated obviously. Just feel like it was either winning it all or nothing at all. I feel like I’ve just failed at this event right now. That’s what it feels like.”
Karen Khachanov will take on Casper Ruud in the semifinal.
