Top seed Daniil Medvedev beaten by Nick Kyrgios at US Open
Daniil Medvedev of the United States reacts after losing to Nick Kyrgios of Australia at the 2017 US Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium. USA/David Cannon
by USA TODAY Sports, USA TODAY
by USA TODAY Sports, USA TODAY
NEW YORK – Playing some of the best tennis of his life, Nick Kyrgios beat No. 1 seed Daniil Medvedev 2-6, 7-6 (3), 6-0, 6-3 in their US Open Group-stage duel Thursday.
Playing in front of a capacity crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Kyrgios looked every bit the 22-year-old prodigy of two years ago when he burst onto the professional tennis scene by posting a 6-1, 6-1, 7-6 (7), 6-3 win over Rafael Nadal at Monte Carlo in 2015.
Just months later, the Australian had already earned his first major championship as he advanced to the semifinals of the French Open, then lost to Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon and Wimbledon quarterfinals, respectively.
So it was hard to imagine it now when it appeared Medvedev had something in the bag. Kyrgios had already won the previous three Grand Slam tournaments including three slams, winning the U.S. Open in 2015, Wimbledon last year and the Australian Open the year before that.
Medvedev said he was not trying to pressure Kyrgios.
“He’s never been on the top, but he did have a chance,” Medvedev said when asked about how he would respond if Kyrgios defeated him in the final. “He did not want to lose. He’s always wanted to win. So we played a good match today. I’m happy.”
Medvedev said he felt Kyrgios was “a little too aggressive” in the second set. “I would’ve been happier when he went down to just two sets, but it was tough,” he said. “He’s the best player of this generation and I’m really happy for him.”
Kyrgios had been the man of the match after claiming a major