Who will stop Nick Kyrgios?
As in Montreal a month ago, the Australian dominated Daniil Medvedev, the world No. 1, in the round of 16 of the US Open (7-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2).
As a result, the Russian will lose his throne at the end of the tournament he won last year.
Kryrgios, he, both flamboyant and master of his emotions, asserted himself at the same time as a serious candidate for the title.
The 27-year-old Australian, who is entering the quarters of the New York Major for the first time, has confirmed the change observed in recent months, and in particular at Wimbledon last July where only Novak Djokovic blocked his way to the coronation in the final. , after two dark years weighed down by depression and suicidal thoughts.
"I think I'm more proud of the way I was able to bounce back after all that," he said as he left the court.
I have been in really difficult and even really scary situations.
So on paper, I probably didn't expect me to win.
When I was really struggling mentally, I felt so depressed all the time, I felt sorry for myself.
I was very selfish.
Then I realized how much I was letting my loved ones down and I wanted it to stop.
I raised my head,
decided to get in shape first.
Then we'll see how it goes.
Obviously, winning helps.
The motivation is there.
It's easier to train, to wake up when things are going well.
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His bright tennis eventually eclipsed his dark side.
Kyrgios has become wiser too.
“I think I reduced some of my weaknesses,” he says.
I really analyzed what I needed to improve at the start of the year, and worked on it really hard.
Even if I am not this player who was once 13th in the world, I think I have become again.
And I even think I'm better than that.
I have matured so much.
When I play badly, I accept it, when I play well, I embrace the moment.
But I remain the same.
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The Australian will be favorite in the quarter-finals against another Russian, Karen Khachanov (31st), who fought to defeat (4-6, 6-3, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3) the Spaniard Pablo Carreno (15th).
“It was a high level game.
I faced Novak (Djokovic), Rafa (Nadal), who are all playing very well.
Nick today played a bit at that level.
If he continues like this until the end of the tournament, he has every chance of winning it, ”Medvedev paid tribute to him, after being mistreated as rarely at Flushing Meadows, where he reached the last four of the previous three editions.
Disappointed and fallen, the Russian is certain to lose his place as world No. 1, which will go to Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz or Casper Ruud still in the running.
