Nick Kyrgios has crashed out of the US Open in the quarter-finals in a defeat to Russia’s Karen Khachanov despite emerging as a favourite in the tournament.
The Australian turned into his own worst enemy in the matchup against the Russian, with 58 unforced errors throughout the matchup.
It was a display not worthy of his recent performances and it evidently had Kyrgios’ frustrations boiling over with a violent outburst after the game.
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The Wimbledon finalist shook the hand of his opponent and umpire before slamming his racket with some force down onto the court multiple times, damaging it in the process.
The Aussie clearly not done there then took aim at yet another racket pelting it down on the court again in some seriously worrying scenes.
Commentator and tennis great Todd Woodbridge said of the incident: "That's not great, that's not great at all.
"I don't know... what do you want to say about that.
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"That was not very positive, what we just watched."
Kyrgios quickly gathered his things and left Arthur Ashe Stadium, losing the matchup three games to two.
It was a thrilling event that spanned three hours and 39 minutes across the five sets, however, the Aussie heartbreakingly fell short.
It was back-and-forth action between the opponents with each taking a set at a time in a thrilling encounter.
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Khachanov spoke of his win after the match, saying: "It was a crazy match, I was expecting it would be like this - I'm ready to run, to fight, to play five sets.
"We played again, almost four hours, and that's the only way to beat Nick, I think."
The Russian had to find his feet again after losing a fourth set tiebrreaker.
He added: "I tried to stay focused on the match - I had some opportunities in the fourth set, he played an amazing tiebreak and what can I do? I can stay, focus, and try to win the next set.
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"I'm really proud of myself - I was really focused from the beginning to the end, and I got the win."
Nick Kyrgios was one of the favourites to take home the whole tournament after defeating Daniil Medvedev in the round of 16 of the tournament.
Rafael Nadal was also surprisingly tumbled out of the tournament in round of 16 against Frances Tiafoe, leaving Kyrgios looking likely to take home the Grand Slam given his form.
But alas, Kyrgios leaves a major tournament yet again without a triumph.
Topics: Tennis, Australia, US Open, Nick Kyrgios
Jayden Collins