Karen Khachanov appeared to direct a thinly veiled barb at US Open followers
Russian ace Karen Khachanov was accused of taking a dig at US Open followers following his epic quarterfinal victory in opposition to Nick Kyrgios in entrance of a New York crowd which was overwhelmingly backing the Australian.
Khachanov booked a spot in a first-ever Grand Slam semifinal as he overcame Kyrgios in a five-set tussle at Arthur Ashe Stadium, successful 7-5 4-6 7-5 6-7(3) 6-4 in a contest which ended within the early hours of Wednesday morning at Flushing Meadows.
The Russian held his nerve in opposition to a person many had tipped as the favourite for the title after Kyrgios had blitzed defending champion and world primary Daniil Medvedev within the earlier spherical.
Kyrgios, 27, was roared on by the vast majority of the gang in opposition to Khachanov as they lapped up his sometimes entertaining model of tennis, though the match was once more marred by some fiery outbursts as Kyrgios directed his anger in the direction of members of his assist staff and obliterated a number of rackets – together with two on the conclusion of the match.
Apparently being attentive to whose facet the gang was on, Khachanov stated in his on-court interview: “I did it. I did it guys. Thank you. Yeah, I mean, now you’re giving me some love, thank you guys, I appreciate it.
“Thank you. It was a loopy match. I used to be anticipating it to be like this. I’m able to run, to struggle, to play 5 units. We performed once more virtually 4 hours and that is the one option to beat Nick I believe.”
Some fans and pundits immediately labeled the comments “sarcastic” and “tongue-in-cheek” – with claims that Khachanov was echoing countryman Medvedev’s infamous running battle with the New York crowd on his way to the final back in 2019.
When asked at his post-match press conference about the fervent crowd backing for Kyrgios, Khachanov said he had been anticipating it.
“I used to be ready, I used to be anticipating that the gang could be extra for him, that he was the favourite of their eyes. I do not get upset about that,” said the number 27 seed.
“I performed Rafa [Nadal] in 2018, it was fairly comparable, so I knew what to anticipate, what I’ve to do, to remain centered and ship match, and that is what I did.”
Kyrgios exploded after losing the match, hammering two rackets into the court having passed up what many touted as a golden opportunity to win a maiden Grand Slam title after falling just short at Wimbledon back in July.
“I really feel the ache for him,” Khachanov said of the combustible scenes as racket debris littered the court.
Russian Tennis Federation president Shamil Tarpischev also noted the one-sided nature of the crowd, telling RIA Novosti: “The entire crowd in New York was rooting in opposition to our participant, though Karen didn’t give them a single cause to do that throughout all the match. Not a gesture, nothing that the general public won’t like.”
“The basic pattern was clear – they rooted for the Australian. But psychologically and morally, Karen performed the sport for 5 units,” added Tarpischev.
An Olympic silver medalist in Tokyo last summer, Khachanov is now in new territory at a Grand Slam after losing his previous two quarterfinals at Roland-Garros in 2019 and Wimbledon in 2021.
To progress further in New York, he will need to pull off another upset against fifth-seeded Norwegian Casper Ruud, who eased past Italy’s Matteo Berrettini in straight sets in their quarterfinal.
Ruud, 23, is targeting a first Grand Slam title after making the French Open final earlier this season, and knows that reaching Sunday’s showpiece in New York could also see him rise to the top of the ATP world rankings.
“Will there be sufficient energy for the semifinal, it’s at all times a query. In the semifinal, psychology involves the fore,” Tarpischev said of the upcoming tussle.
Khachanov himself said he was proud of his achievements thus far, telling the media: “It’s another step ahead, I’m actually comfortable I might do it.”
Khachanov and Ruud are set to satisfy on Friday of their battle for a spot within the closing.
(RT.com)