US Open: Defending champ Medvedev to face Kyrgios in fourth round

World No 1 and defending champion Daniil Medvedev defeated Chinese qualifier Yibing Wu in straight sets at the US Open on Friday night to set up a mouth-watering fourth round clash against Australia’s Nick Kyrgios.

Medvedev, who has now won 10 matches in a row at Flushing Meadows, won 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 on one hour and 55 minutes to move into the fourth round at a Major for the eighth consecutive time dating back to the US Open in 2020 (Note – Medvedev was unable to play Wimbledon 2022).

A high-level match in Medvedev’s eyes

“I felt like it was a high-level match because he played great” Medvedev said. “The only thing Wu is lacking is serve to be like top 10, top 20 in the future. His returns were unbelievable. When he was on the ball, he has one of the best I ever saw. We had some long rallies. Not that much unforced errors. I finally managed to beat a strong opponent and I’m really happy.”

The Russian has yet to drop a set this fortnight, having also beaten American Stefan Kozlov (6-2, 6-4, 6-0) and Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech (6-2, 7-5, 6-3) in straight sets.

Kyrgios leads Medvedev 3-1 in career head-to-head

Up next for Medvedev is the Australian Nick Kyrgios, The 23rd seeded Aussie scored a 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 win over American J.J. Wolf, also on Monday evening.

Kyrgios has a 3-1 edge over Medvedev in career head-to-head, which includes a three-set win over the Russian a few weeks ago in Montreal.

In a way everybody could win. I shouldn’t say this because I lost, but I felt it was close.

Daniil Medvedev on his latest match against Kyrgios

“We both kind of know what to expect right now”, Medvedev said. “He managed to get the better of me there especially in the clutch moments. He broke me three times. I had two opportunities in the same game. I didn’t break. It was quite important in the beginning of the third set. In a way everybody could win. I shouldn’t say this because I lost, but I felt it was close. That’s the most important coming into the next round”.

“I kind of know what I have to do. Serve well, try to get to the tiebreak, try to get opportunities on his serve. He also knows what he will do. He serves big. He’s playing good so far. I watched his matches. Concentrated. First one was not easy. Won in three sets. Hopefully can play my best game.”

Medvedev’s only win over Kyrgios came in the second round of this year’s Australian Open in four sets, with Kyrgios also winning in Rome (clay) and Washington (hard court) in 2019.

US Open, New York City (Grand Slam), other third-round results

• Nick Kyrgios beat J.J. Wolf (WC): 6-4, 6-2, 6-3
• Pablo Carreno Busta (12) beat Alex De Minaur (18): 6-1, 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (5)
• Corentin Moutet (LL) beat Pedro Cachin: 6-3, 4-6, 6-2, 7-5
• Karen Khachanov (27) beat Jack Draper: 6-3, 4-6, 6-5 ret.
• Casper Ruud (5) beat Tommy Paul (29): 7-6 (3), 6-7 (5), 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-0
• Matteo Berrettini (13) beat Andy Murray: 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (1), 6-3
• Alejandro Davidovich Fokina beat Daniel Elahi Galan (Q): 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4

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