Nick Kyrgios has tumbled out of the US Open at the quarter-final stage in a bizarre five-set clash, before blowing up in a wild racket-smashing tantrum.
Having praised opponent Karen Khachanov and thanked the umpire after the 7-5 4-6 7-5 6-7 6-4 defeat, Kyrgios then smashed two rackets in a brutal meltdown.
He had already smashed one racket mid-match, and slammed a drinks bottle down during a break in play, causing fluid to spray across the court.
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Kyrgios’ mistakes at crucial points – being broken twice will serving to send a set to a tie-break – cost him at the death, while his inability to control his emotions on the big stage once again reared its ugly head.
Plenty of tennis fans were disappointed in the ugly aftermath of what had been a wonderful US Open charge from the Australian.
Respected tennis pundit Ben Rothenberg wrote: “Kyrgios will rue that one, but the first time being the favourite to win a Slam is no small challenge. I just hope that, when he plays again next, Kyrgios focuses on himself rather than obsessing over whether or not his support team is adequately vocal throughout. Got so, so old.”
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