Australian Open 2020: Nick Kyrgios books date with Rafael Nadal thanks to five-set stunner v Karen Khachanov
Nick Kyrgios has set up a date with world No.1 Rafael Nadal, thanks to an insane five-set marathon win over worthy Russian Karen Khachanov. The match had everything and now the new Nick must steel himself for a date with the Spanish legend, who isn't his favourite bloke. RECAP THE ACTION
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Nick Kyrgios has scrambled into a high-stakes Australian Open showdown with world No. 1 Rafael Nadal, surviving injury, clashes with officialdom and Russian Karen Khachanov to set up a fourth-round blockbuster.
Kyrgios managed his emotions and leg soreness superbly until late in the contest before taming 16th seed Khachanov 6-2 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (6-8) 6-7 (7-9) 7-6 (10-8) to reach the Open’s fourth round for the third time.
SCROLL DOWN TO RE-CAP THE ENTIRETY OF DAY 6 ACTION
At 4hrs,26mins, it was the longest match of Kyrgios’ career - and one of the most dramatic after a massive lead, and two match points, slipped away before the Australian regrouped to keep title hopes alive.
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Khachanov served for the match at 8-7 in the fifth set tiebreak, only to lose both points and then pushing a backhand wide, triggering delirious scenes in Melbourne Arena.
“Man, it was crazy,” Kyrgios said, admitting he thought he was going to lose.
“I don’t know what to say, it was insane.
“None of that would have happened without my team.
“You guys were amazing again.
“I was losing it mentally a little bit but my support team willed me across the line.
“I honestly thought I was going to lose.”
Kyrgios said he injured his left leg while serving in the first set “felt something and got some physio.”
“This is just epic, man,” he said.
“Honestly, my legs feel about 40 kilos each.
“That was one of the best wins of my career.”
Kyrgios held match points in the third and fourth set tiebreaks – neither on his own serve – only for nerveless Khachanov to escape both.
Rising tension and slipping opportunity triggered a dramatic mood change in Kyrgios, who was impressively composed until late in a dramatic contest.
Unruffled until the ninth game of the fourth set, Kyrgios exploded at umpire Renaud Lichtenstein after being penalised for taking too long between serves after the official failed to notice the Australian’s right hand was bleeding following a fall.
“Are you stupid?” Kyrgios thundered. “There’s blood on the towel and I told the ball kid not to touch it.
“Did you not see that?”
After losing the point, Kyrgios shouted: “You f…ing idiot.”
At the change of ends, while having the hand treated, Kyrgios yelled: “Don’t look at me, do your job.”
The fiery Australian will clash with Nadal for the first time since losing a pulsating Wimbledon encounter to the world champion in July.
The only negative stemming from a performance bristling with quality – 33 aces and 97 winners – is the state of his left leg.
His triumph sets the scene for a repeat of the prize-fight build-up which preceded the 23rd seed’s meeting with Nadal at the All England Club.
Nadal and Kyrgios share an edgy relationship and the Spaniard was in no mood to mince words after destroying compatriot Pablo Carreno Busta 6-1 6-2 6-4.
Questioned about Kyrgios’ behavior, Nadal lit a fuse.
“It's clear, of course, that when he does stuff that in my opinion is not good, I don't like,” Nadal said.
“When he plays good tennis and he shows passion for this game, he is a positive player for our tour, and I want my tour bigger, not smaller.
“So the players who make the tour bigger are important for the tour.
“When he's ready to play his best tennis and play with passion, (he) is one of these guys.
“When he's doing the other stuff, of course I don't like.”
Kyrgios said: “Whatever happens between us, he’s an amazing player.
“He’s arguably the best of all time. He’s a champion and hopefully I can give it enough.”
Originally published as Australian Open 2020: Nick Kyrgios books date with Rafael Nadal thanks to five-set stunner v Karen Khachanov