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Australia's Nick Kyrgios has little time for tennis rackets without a win
Photo: MIKE SEGAR/ REUTERS
Nick Kyrgios grabbed his bags and left Arthur Ashe Stadium frustrated: The Australian tennis star missed the semifinals at the US Open in New York in a five-set thriller.
Two days after his outstanding victory against defending champion Daniil Medvedev, Kyrgios had to admit defeat to the Russian Karen Chatschanov 5: 7, 6: 4, 5: 7, 7: 6 (7: 3) and 4: 6 after 3:39 hours.
During the game, Wimbledon finalist Kyrgios, who made too many mistakes, had his calf treated.
Before that, he smashed a racquet mid-game and burst a water bottle with a throw onto the court.
After the game, Kyrgios first congratulated his opponent, thanked the referee - and then destroyed two more rackets on the hard court.
"Now you're showing me a little affection after all," Khachanov said afterwards in the direction of the audience, which had mostly supported Kyrgios: "I was ready to run five sets and fight.
I'm very proud of myself, I stayed focused from start to finish.«
For Khachanov it is the first entry into a Grand Slam semi-final of his career.
There he meets Casper Ruud.
The Norwegian also kept his chance to jump to the top of the world rankings with a highly convincing 6: 1, 6: 4, 7: 6 (7: 4) against the Italian Matteo Berrettini.
"I don't want to think too much about the number one," says Ruud: "Of course every boy dreams of it."
Ruud needs to reach at least the final to pass Rafael Nadal.
If he then meets the top talent Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday, who first has to solve his quarter-final against Jannik Sinner on Wednesday (local time), the winner would take the top position in the ranking.
Russia's Andrej Rublew and crowd favorite Frances Tiafoe determine the fourth semi-finalist.
Ons Jabeur is »hungry for more«
The women's first semi-final pairing is also certain: Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur will face Carolina Garcia on Thursday.
The French Garcia showed an outstanding performance in the 6: 3, 6: 4 against the 18-year-old American Coco Gauff.
The Tunisian Jabeur prevailed 6: 4, 7: 6 (7: 4) against Ajla Tomljanovic from Australia, who had thrown Serena Williams out of the competition in the third round.
The 28-year-old Tunisian is the first African since the introduction of professional tennis in 1968 to reach the semi-finals of the US Open.
"I didn't play the level I would have needed to win," said Gauff, who nevertheless looked back on the tournament with great satisfaction: "Overall, I'm super proud of myself.
But I'm also hungry for more.«
see/dpa/sid