Khachanov Upsets Kyrgios to Reach US Open Semifinals as Ruud Advances
In a thrilling quarterfinal at the US Open, Russian star Karen Khachanov outlasted Australian Nick Kyrgios after more than three and a half hours of high-stakes tennis. The victory secured Khachanov a spot in the tournament’s semi-finals, where he was scheduled to meet Casper Ruud of Norway.
Khachanov, ranked 31st in the world, prevailed with a scoreline of seven five, four six, seven five, and six four. Kyrgios, who had eliminated defending champion Daniil Medvedev in the prior round, saw his New York run come to an end in a marathon match that kept the crowd on the edge of their seats throughout. This clash highlighted Khachanov’s steadiness on serve and Kyrgios’ formidable serving power, making it a classic test of nerve and precision on the big stage.
Khachanov, who lifted the Masters 1000 title in Paris back in 2018, fired thirty aces against Kyrgios, underscoring his ability to keep pressure on the returner. Kyrgios entered the event with the best half-year win record among players, amplifying the drama around this meeting and heightening expectations for a potential premium showdown in New York.
In the post-match interview, Khachanov kept his goals simple and focused. “I have nothing to lose,” he said, speaking from courtside at the foot of the arena, where he admitted that winning the title in New York would be a crowning achievement. The words reflected a mindset that resonated with fans who crowded the stands, rooting for a breakthrough moment on one of tennis’ grandest stages.
The match was a study in weapons and tactics. Both players delivered rapid serves and relied on clean ball striking, with the tempo of the rallies alternating as each man tried to dictate play. The opening set featured mutual service winners, but Khachanov managed to edge ahead with fewer forced errors by Kyrgios. A late, non-forced error from Kyrgios at a critical moment allowed Khachanov to seize the first-set lead at seven games to five.
With the support of a raucous crowd, Kyrgios found extra speed on his serve in the second set and managed to pull it into his corner, leveling the match with a four-six result that reflected a shift in momentum. The third set again tipped in Khachanov’s direction, as a late break at five games all proved decisive and left Kyrgios facing a perilous path in the fifth set. The fourth set turned into a tense service duel, ending in a tiebreak won by Kyrgios, seven points to three, after a harrowing sequence that included several long exchanges and high-pressure moments for both players.
During the break that preceded the fourth set, Kyrgios appeared focused and animated, even letting frustration show after a missed opportunity, including a warning from the umpire for a mishandled bottle on the court during a timeout. Yet the Australian showed resilience in the fourth frame and pushed the match to a decisive fifth set, where Khachanov struck first with a break to take a slim advantage. Kyrgios battled back, forcing Khachanov to survive two break chances, but the Russian answered with composure and disciplined ball control to clinch the victory and earn a place in the final four.
As the semifinal picture cleared, Kyrgios reflected on what had been an intense journey in New York. The crowd, which had remained highly energized, roared in admiration for both players as they made their way to the locker room, well aware of the drama that had just unfolded on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court. The semi-final pairing would see Ruud face Khachanov, a matchup that promised power, consistency, and strategic depth. Ruud had earlier defeated Italian Matteo Berrettini with a strong performance that featured a dominant first set and a late surge to seal the second and third sets in a tiebreak, showcasing his steady growth on the big stage.
In the other quarter-final pairings, Carlos Alcaraz met Italian Jannik Sinner, and American Frances Tiafoe clashed with Russian Andrey Rublev, setting up a day of high-stakes action for fans across North America. On the women’s side, Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia defeated American Coco Gauff, advancing to a semi-final against Tunisian Ons Jabeur, who had been preparing to contend for a final spot after her victory over Australian Ajla Tomljanovic. The women’s singles field continued to unfold with Iga Swiatek, the world No. 1 from Poland, slated to face American Jessica Pegula in one of the remaining quarter-final clashes, while Czech Karolina Pliskova meets Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus in another high-profile matchup.
The women’s semi-final was scheduled for the following day, with the final slated for the weekend. The rich tapestry of matches in New York highlighted the depth of talent, the drama of knockout tennis, and the enduring appeal of one of the world’s greatest stages for the sport.
Note: This summary reflects match events as reported by contemporary broadcast and tournament coverage. Specific scores and moments are drawn from the official quarterfinals and subsequent round recaps as observed by fans and journalists covering the event.