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Nick Kyrgios is in action again on Wednesday as he looks to continue his epic US Open run — and set up a rematch with another bitter rival in the semi-finals.
But he must get there first and is facing Wimbledon finalist Kyrgios is Karen Khachanov in his quarter-final, with both men holding serve early in the opening set.
Speaking in commentary for Channel 9, Australian tennis legend Todd Woodbridge said the conditions suited Khachanov, with the roof closed due to rain in the area.
“It certainly levels the field a little bit for him,” Woodbridge said.
“If we had fast outdoor conditions and we talked about variety, the percentages go towards Kyrgios in those types of conditions. It just makes it an easier, cleaner ball strike for Khachanov with no breeze, no elements.”
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The winner of Wednesday’s quarter-final will face Casper Ruud, who reached the US Open semi-finals for the first time and could reignite his feud with Kyrgios whom he once described as an “idiot”.
The Norwegian fifth seed defeated Italy’s Matteo Berrettini 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) to make his second Slam semi-final of 2022 having finished runner-up to Rafael Nadal at the French Open.
Fiery Kyrgios and Ruud fought an ugly war of words when they met at the Rome Masters in 2019.
Kyrgios was penalised a game for swearing at a line judge, threw a chair onto the court, packed his bags, stormed off and was defaulted.
He was later fined 20,000 euros and docked ranking points. Ruud called for Kyrgios to be banned for six months, branding his rival an “idiot”.
Kyrgios responded by describing the Norwegian’s tennis as “boring” and accusing him of “stealing” points by playing in a succession of low-profile claycourt events in order to boost his world ranking.
“You never know what’s going to come out of his racquet or his mouth,” said Ruud on Wednesday.
“On the personal note, there is not that much of a relationship. I mean, we didn’t say hi in the locker room for some time, but we do now, so it’s better.
“There were a time where it was probably a bit tense after things were said back and forth, but he actually came to me in Laver Cup last year and congratulated me when I won my match, which was nice.”
Kyrgios, who knocked world number one and defending champion Daniil Medvedev out in the third round, is attempting to become the first Australian man to reach the US Open semi-finals since Lleyton Hewitt in 2005.
Khachanov is playing in his third Slam quarter-final but has yet to reach a semi-final.
“I think Nick has taken steps as a player. We all know he’s been a huge talent but this year he has proved he can win many matches in a row and it is impressive,” Ruud said in his on-court interview.
“Obviously he has improved and he will be a dangerous player for sure. Let’s see if it will be some drama or not, but I’m ready for anything.”
Kyrgios also had a run-in with Khachanov, who he called an “absolute pelican” in a Twitter argument back in 2020.
The pair last met at the Australian Open in 2020 in a five-set thriller which saw the final four sets go to a tiebreak, with Kyrgios eventually taking the win.
The online spat between the pair, which took place in September later that year, began after Kyrgios criticised Mats Wilander for claiming Andy Murray was selfish for taking a wildcard entry to Roland Garros.
Murray, a good friend of Kyrgios’, was coming back from hip surgery at the time and Wilander’s comments drew an immediate response from the Australian.
“Just read what Wilander said about @andy_murray …. shut up Mats, no one cares. Muzz, just know that how ever long you stay, we all appreciate and enjoy your tennis and banter. Also I’ve never watched a point of Mats Wilander,” Kyrgios wrote.
“Nick, come on mate,” Khachanov tweeted in reply to Kyrgios criticism of Wilander.
“It’s too much… show some respect.”
“Nah I’m good dude. Muzz and I respect each other, and if someone starts talking about one of mine then I’ll come at them. I’m supposed to respect Mats? For what? Hitting a ball over the net? I don’t give my respect for that,” Kyrgios tweeted back.
“Bro it’s your call,” Khachanov replied.
“I really think you are a good lad and I don’t have any problem with you. But once you are sitting at home and writing different comments about players that makes me think who has the real problem.”
For context, Kyrgios had been a vocal critic of some players’ actions during the pandemic, including Novak Djokovic’s role in hosting the “boneheaded” Adria Tour.
“So you think what the players did during this pandemic was smart?” Kyrgios replied.
“I’d love to have an intellectual conversation with you but I’m not sure it would go further than how hard you could hit a ball. I’ve simply been holding people accountable.”
Khachanov though made the exchange between the pair even more personal.
“Next time before talking about my intellect read at least a few books, instead or playing video games [the] whole day long,” the Russian wrote.
“I’ve also been feeding the hungry, helping open up new facilities for kids to get active. But way to do your research you absolute pelican,” Kyrgios replied in defence.
Now Kyrgios will have a chance to let his tennis do the talking on Wednesday.
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