The demolition began within moments of match point. Nick Kyrgios started with the racket in his hand, pounding it into the court four times, each smash breaking through the hush that had quickly descended among the midnight crowd. Then he found a second and wrecked it too, almost splitting it in half, its bent frame telling the story of a plan that had gone to pieces. After wanting to give New York a show in his US Open quarter-final against Karen Khachanov, this final act of destruction was the closest Kyrgios got to producing his explosive game. It was far too late.
In some ways, at least Kyrgios has got what he wanted. After four months on the road, his season is over and he will return to Australia and the home he has openly longed for since Wimbledon. He does so, however, after a defeat that will rank as the most painful of his career. Kyrgios was one set up against Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final just two months ago but the US Open and how the past week has unfolded arguably represented an even better opportunity to win a grand slam.
