As he crashed in an epic five-set front against Russia’s Karen Khachanov in the quarter-finals, Kyrgios’ frustration at such a chance faded: He smashed two rackets to the ground, twisting their tires unusable.
Meanwhile, Khachanov stood on the other side of the net with his arms high, celebrating a 7-5 4-6 7-5 6-7 (3) 6-4 victory.
“Frankly, I feel like it,” Kyrgios told reporters. “I feel like I let down a lot of people. These four slams [the grand slams] They are the only ones that will ever matter. It’s like you have to start it all over again. I have to wait until the Australian Open. It’s just devastating. Like, it’s heartbreaking. Not just for me, but everyone I know wants me to win.”
The first set passed in 35 minutes, dominated by the players’ big serve until Khachanov granted the break and the set in two errors in the last game of Kyrgios’ serve.
A forced break ensued as the Australian took a medical timeout for treatment on his left knee before equalizing to settle the match in the second set.
He later said of his knee: “Obviously I’ve been playing a lot of tennis in the last couple of months…I just split and adjusted a little bit.” “It ended up feeling good. I got some Deep Hit. Everyone is holding a little laugh at the moment.”
Kyrgios’ momentum seemed to extend into the third set as he built two break points in Khachanov’s opener, then two more at 4-4. But he failed to convert any of those chances, and it was Khachanov who took his chance to break 6-5 and reclaim the lead.
Frustrated by the loss of this group, Kyrgios smashes a water bottle during the change and receives a warning of unsportsmanlike behavior.
The 27-year-old has already been fined $18,500 for four separate offenses at this year’s US Open, including spitting, swearing and smashing his racket, according to Reuters.
Although Kyrgios forced the fifth set, Khachanov broke in the opener and saved break points in his next two matches and sealed the match to advance to the semi-finals of a Grand Slam for the first time. He will now face Casper Rudd on Friday for a place in the US Open final.
“I am very happy and very proud to be able to finish the match, to be able to play it,” Khachanov said. Submit for the match [is] Never easy. Yes, I am very happy to take this step forward to achieve my first semi-final.”
It also marks the end of Kyrgios’ most successful year at the Grand Slam after his Wimbledon final in July.
“That’s all people remember about Grand Slams, whether you win or lose. I think pretty much every other slam of the year is really a waste of time. You just have to run and show up at Grand Slams, that’s what he remembers.”
“Alcohol enthusiast. Twitter ninja. Tv lover. Falls down a lot. Hipster-friendly coffee geek.”