And, as he crashed out in a five-set epic to Russian Karen Khachanov in the quarterfinals, Kyrgios’ frustration at such an opportunity slipping away overflowed: he smashed two racquets on the floor, wobbling their frames beyond use.
Khachanov, meanwhile, stood on the opposite side of the net with his arms up, celebrating his 7-5 4-6 7-5 6-7 (3) 6-4 victory.
“I honestly feel awful,” Kyrgios told reporters. “I feel like I’ve let so many people down. These four tournaments [the grand slams] are the only ones that ever matter. It’s like you have to start all over again. I have to wait until Australian Open. It’s just devastating. Like, it’s heartbreaking. Not just for me, but for everyone I know who wants me to win.”
The first set went by in 35 minutes, dominated by big serves from both players until a pair of errors in Kyrgios’ final service game gave Khachanov the break and the set.
A forced break followed as the Australian took a medical break for treatment on his left knee before he rallied to level the match in the second set.
“Obviously I’ve been playing a lot of tennis the last couple of months … I just stepped on it and just tweaked it a little bit,” he later said of his knee. “Finally felt good. I got some Deep Heat on it. Everyone’s wearing a little bit now.”
Kyrgios’ momentum seemed to spill over in the third set when he converted two break points in Khachanov’s opening service game, then two more at 4-4. He failed to convert any of these chances, however, and it was Khachanov who seized his chance to break at 6-5 and retake the lead.
Disappointed by losing that set, Kyrgios smashed a bottle of water during the transition and received a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct.
The 27-year-old has already been fined $18,500 for four separate offenses at this year’s US Open, including spitting, swearing and smashing his racket, according to Reuters.
Although Kyrgios forced a fifth set, Khachanov broke in the opening game, saved break points in his next two service games and closed out the match to advance to the semifinals of a grand slam for the first time. He will now face Casper Ruud on Friday for a place in the US Open final.
“I’m very happy, very proud that I could finish the match, I could take it,” Khachanov said. “Serving for the match [is] never easy Yeah, just very happy to take this step forward to make my first semi-final.”
It also marked the end of Kyrgios’ most successful year in a grand slam following his run to the Wimbledon final in July.
“That’s all people remember at a grand slam, whether you win or you lose. I think almost every other tournament during the year is a waste of time really. You should just run and show up at a grand slam, that’s what you’re remembered for.”
