Nick Kyrgios explodes in ugly scenes in US Open quarter-final
Nick Kyrgios showed his full range of emotions during his quarter-final thriller against Karen Khachanov after throwing his racquet in anger during a tense third set.
Kyrgios entered the quarter-final in tremendous form having won 20 of his last 23 matches, but quickly found himself in the deep end after sustaining a left leg injury.
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The Aussie and Khachanov powered through the opening set at Arthur Ashe Stadium with Kyrgios barely moving during rallies.
The Aussie star could be seen telling his player's box that his knee was troubling him and that he couldn't walk properly, before the trainer proceeded to work on Kyrgios for an extended period.
Kyrgios dropped the first set, but powered back to level the match in the second after his movement returned.
In a tense third set, Kyrgios was firing up the crowd and had two break points on Khachanov's serve with the match poised nicely at 4-4.
Kyrgios lost the first break point and then sent a cross-court forehand long.
This prompted an explosion of anger from the 27-year-old as he threw his racquet into the ground.
Kyrgios, surprisingly, avoided a code violation for racquet abuse.
The momentum had swung and the Aussie went on to lose the set.
Despite the Australian receiving the support from the American crowd, fans were divided over Kyrgios' antics during the third set.
Many thought his antics were 'must watch TV', while others felt he had crossed the line.
Kyrgios makes Bubba look like the most stoic player ever..
— edward loar (@BigEinBigD) September 7, 2022
Kyrgios could have some class on the court #USOpen2022 smashing your racket does what? Nothing.
— Nash 🇺🇸 (@nashpatriot24) September 7, 2022
Did Kyrgios just smash a racket onto the court and scream a flurry of f-bombs without receiving a single code violation by the chair serving at 4-5 in the 3rd set??? #USOpen2022 Good grief.
— Here's The Rule (@herestherule) September 7, 2022
Kyrgios is a passionate dude!
— TONY MUI (@MrTonyMui) September 7, 2022
Nick Kyrgios is absolute must watch TV. Pure entertainment.
— ThisJUSTin (@TheHallOfBrame) September 7, 2022
OHHHHHH Kyrgios
— Connor Wilton (@ConnorJayWilton) September 7, 2022
Kyrgios could have some class on the court #USOpen2022 smashing your racket does what? Nothing.
— Nash 🇺🇸 (@nashpatriot24) September 7, 2022
I apologize to all the greats. But no one has ever, EVER made me want to watch tennis before quite like Kyrgios
— Kacy Hintz (@KacyHintz) September 7, 2022
Nick Kyrgios is tennis version of Happy Gilmore at the beginning of the movie, and I'm here for it 100%
He's an absolute blast to watch, especially when he explodes! #USOpen pic.twitter.com/CfBtFxoizk— Matt Gasper (@MattGasperTV) September 7, 2022
Nick Kyrgios in blockbuster quarter-final clash
The Australian entered the match knowing a semi-final clash with Casper Ruud was waiting.
Kyrgios and Khachanov powered through the opening set at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Tuesday night, with the Russian taking it 7-5 in just 35 minutes.
However, Kyrgios was barely moving during rallies as he appeared to be hampered by a lower leg injury.
The Aussie star could be seen telling his player's box that his knee was troubling him and that he couldn't walk properly, before the trainer proceeded to work on Kyrgios for an extended period.
Early in the second set Kyrgios could be heard telling his entourage: "I don't want to f***ing play like this."
However, the Aussie was able to stave off the pain to level the match in front of a crowd willing him on.
Khachanov then took the lead after winning a blockbuster third set 6-4.
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