“I came out pretty flat,” Tomljanović says, reflecting on the last 48 hours.
About that 20-minute game in which she saved seven set points – she says she didn’t know it was 20 minutes and probably would’ve panicked if she had known. But she tried to stay as calm as possible.
When she learned she was going to face Serena Williams, she decided to stay off social media. Has she taken a peek now? She answers sheepishly: “I did take a peek just to feel good about myself.”
And she thanks the crowd, of course. She knows most people in Arthur Ashe Stadium a couple of games ago were cheering for Serena, but she says she still felt the love.
New York has a way of making people fall in love with it. Even those of us who have to WAIT FOREVER ON THE BELT PARK-- … no, no, not relevant now, it’s OK.
Anyway – Tomljanović certainly deserves another match in Arthur Ashe Stadium. What a double bill it would be if she and her ex both play on the big stage.
Her ex is Nick Kyrgios, and if you missed his win vs. Daniil Medvedev, it’s your loss.
Until next time, good night …
Updated
Ajla Tomljanović advances to quarterfinals
My goodness, Tomljanović is excellent in long rallies, and that’s very bad news for a player making as many errors as Samsonova. Tomljanović quickly gets to double match point, and Samsonova appropriately ends the match by hitting wide.
So the player who (probably kinda definitely but maybe but almost certainly) sent Serena Williams into retirement is in the quarterfinals.
*Tomljanović 7-6 5-1 Samsonova (* - denotes next server)
Samsonova wins the first point on a drop shot that leaves Tomljanović frozen. She hits one far wide on the next point, her 49th unforced error according to ESPN. Nice forehand winner on the next point (her 23rd, to Tomljanović’s eight), but she hits one quite long on the next. The US Open site says that’s her 51st unforced error. Either way, it’s a lot of errors, and we’re at deuce.
Her next serve lands somewhere in Brooklyn. Tomljanović drives the second return just inside the baseline, but Samsonova shows off some outstanding reflexes to get her racket down and guide a return back across for a winner.
We’re getting a long game here, as they had a couple of times in the first set, when Samsonova was close to winning.
But Samsonova avoids the bagel here and holds. Samsonova will serve for a berth in the quarterfinals opposite the winner of the Ons Jabeur-Veronika Kudermetova match that just started in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Tomljanović 7-6 5-0 Samsonova* (* - denotes next server)
Samanova again manages one good point, getting to 30-15 on a long rally in which she had the edge most of the way. Then she’s unable to return a Tomljanović serve.
Bear in mind – as we saw against Serena Williams, Tomljanović doesn’t have the best serve. She beat Serena by winning long rallies.
In this case, she’s winning the short ones, too. Samsonova gets one more point, but Tomljanović closes it out.
(Should I say “Ajla”? I received a pointed message from someone who was upset that I referred to Serena Williams as “Serena” but used Tomljanović’s last name. I pointed out that Serena has had one-name status for a long time, in part because she has a famous sister along with many other famous Williamses. It would definitely be easier to type than “Tomljanović.”
*Tomljanović 7-6 4-0 Samsonova (* - denotes next server)
Should Deee-Lite be a one-hit wonder? Isn’t Groove Is in the Heart a killer track? It is, and it’s playing after Ajla Tomljanović cruises to win the third game of the second set.
Samsonova returns from the dance break, in which she most definitely did not participate, and puts one solid winner in between a whole bunch of errors, and Tomljanović is up two breaks.
Postmatch with Patrick McEnroe. “Did you like it?” Kyrgios asks. He did.
“I still can’t believe the boneheaded play I made over there,” he says. “That’s going to be on SportsCenter, and I’ll look like an idiot.”
McEnroe notes that his brother, John, also thought that shot was legal.
“When did it click in Nick Kyrgios’ head?” Patrick McEnroe asks.
Kyrgios says he has been making good decisions and not going out all night, and he has a great girlfriend who helps him.
His ex, incidentally, is none other than Ajla Tomljanović, whose match we’ll be following after this.
He’s not looking forward to his next singles match because he has doubles up next.
Asked for a final word, Kyrgios takes a moment to think. He’s glad he’s finally able to show New York what he’s able to do.
See you next time? For singles, that is.
Meanwhile, let’s see how Tomljanović is faring …
I have no idea what this means, but I’m sharing it anyway.
4am. An hour before dawn. Kyrgios aggressively insisting he can speedrun Elden Ring based on this one YouTube video his older brother showed him. Medvedev so livid he has to excuse himself and go to the kitchen for a calming liter of Sprite
— Brian Phillips (@brianphillips) September 5, 2022
Nick Kyrgios defeats Daniil Medvedev
Kyrgios starts as if he’s trying too hard for style points, going for a drop shot with a fencer’s flourish that lands in the net. He returns to power with the next one, then wins a battle of drop shots to move two points away.
Boom. Forced error on serve. Two match points.
Ace. That’s it. What a performance.
Medvedev 6-7 6-3 3-6 2-5 Kyrgios* (* – denotes next server)
The crowd is still roaring, and Medvedev serves anyway, landing an ace. He wins the next one as well, then has a rare unforced error (his third of the set, ESPN tells us). Kyrgios hits long – of late, a rare error from him as well – and it’s 40-15.
Then a double fault. It’s 40-30.
Then a fault. Kyrgios springs forward like goalkeepers used to do on penalty kicks and destroys Medvedev’s second serve. Deuce.
Medvedev ace. Medvedev ace. He has played a terrific match, and yet Kyrgios is about to serve to end his reign as champion and world No. 1.
One stadium over, Ajla Tomljanović has won the first set in a tiebreaker.
*Medvedev 6-7 6-3 3-6 1-5 Kyrgios (* – denotes next server)
“Stats and darn lies,” said someone who cleaned up an old expression to avoid a warning from the chair umpire.
Heading into this game, Kyrgios had 34 unforced errors to Medvedev’s 17. Kyrgios has seven double faults to Medvedev’s one. They both have 19 aces. Kyrgios has a very slight edge in winners, 49-46.
But Kyrgios made a lot of those errors in a second set that didn’t hold his interest. Medvedev also started to slack off late in that set, and since then, he has been unable to match Kyrgios’ power and creativity.
Medvedev gets a couple of points, but Kyrgios forces an error and wraps up the hold with an ace. One game away.
Medvedev 6-7 6-3 3-6 1-4 Kyrgios* (* – denotes next server)
Medvedev starts to take care of business with a couple of strong shots to go up 30-15. But Kyrgios runs him from side to side in the next point, then deposits a Medvedev second serve down the line for a break point. He crouches and pumps his fist.
Medvedev responds … with an error. The defending champion is in quite a hole.
*Medvedev 6-7 6-3 3-6 1-3 Kyrgios (* – denotes next server)
Medvedev tossed his racket at the changeover – gently, but still tossed – and he’s clearly rattled.
Kyrgios wins the first two points here, then double faults, then hits wide. 30-30? Really?
The Kyrgios box springs into action with appropriate encouragement. But then Medvedev hits a torrid crosscourt winner to set up break point, and he waves his arms to get the crowd going.
The umpire warns Kyrgios over an audible obscenity. Sorry, that was actually me.
Kyrgios responds with an ace and a yell.
Then he adds another ace. No yell.
Then he forces a tough return from Medvedev. Hold.
Medvedev 6-7 6-3 3-6 1-2 Kyrgios* (* – denotes next server)
The two players trade poor drop shots, with Kyrgios getting the worst of it. A powerful forehand winner gets Kyrgios a point, and then he keeps Medvedev off balance on the next two rallies. Break point, and this crowd is into it.
Backhand error by Medvedev, and now Kyrgios is up a break.
*Medvedev 6-7 6-3 3-6 1-1 Kyrgios (* – denotes next server)
That didn’t take long. Kyrgios holds at love.
Medvedev 6-7 6-3 3-6 1-0 Kyrgios* (* – denotes next server)
Medvedev takes a nice long break, which gives ESPN a chance to show the end of a 30-point game in which Serena-slayer Ajla Tomljanović fights off several set points to hold and get to 5-5 against Liudmila Samsonova.
Back to Arthur Ashe Stadium, and Kyrgios gets to 15-30. Medvedev cracks two great serves, and Kyrgios hits long after a brief rally on the next point. Medvedev holds.
Nick Kyrgios wins third set 6-3
Kyrgios follows a double fault with an ace to go up 30-15. Medvedev can barely hit the next serve, and it’s double set point. Kyrgios spends very little time getting to his next serve, then hits a drop shot. Medvedev gets there but hits into the net, and Kyrgios is a set away from defeating the defending champion and world No. 1.
Medvedev 6-7 6-3 3-5 Kyrgios* (* – denotes next server)
Kyrgios tries to invent the no-look net-approach drop shot. Medvedev scorches it down the line to go up 40-0, then holds.
*Medvedev 6-7 6-3 2-5 Kyrgios (* – denotes next server)
Medvedev can certainly hit passing shots when Kyrgios comes to the net, and that makes it 30-30. Kyrgios has better success with the next one, then rips an unreturnable serve to hold.
If you’re Medvedev, how much effort do you put into this next game?
Medvedev 6-7 6-3 2-4 Kyrgios* (* – denotes next server)
Kyrgios teases an intriguing game with a forceful winner but hits two lackluster returns to let Medvedev hold.
*Medvedev 6-7 6-3 1-4 Kyrgios (* – denotes next server)
So ever since Kyrgios lost a crucial point when he was just being playful and didn’t realize he had broken a rule, he’s had all the momentum. He goes up 40-0, then tries a through-the-legs underhand serve.
No, I’m not making that up. If I were making things up, I’d say the movie Men in Black was right and there really is a spaceship near Queens, and it has called Kyrgios back to his home planet. Kyrgios tried a through-the-legs underhand serve. He loses that point, then the next, then hits a big serve to hold.
I hate reality TV, but I would absolutely watch a Nick Kyrgios show.
Medvedev 6-7 6-3 1-3 Kyrgios* (* – denotes next server)
At the changeover, Kyrgios goes over to ESPN sideline reporter Patrick McEnroe: “So I’m not allowed to do that?” The calmer McEnroe explains and tells Kyrgios we’ve never seen that before, and he says that seems to have made Kyrgios happy.
Medvedev is on the verge of holding at love until Kyrgios conjures a cross-court winner out of nothing. Then he hits the next one at almost the same place.
Then it’s deuce. Then break point, as Medvedev hits a passing shot against Kyrgios’ net approach but fires long.
Kyrgios pins Medvedev in the corner with his next return, and it’s a break.
*Medvedev 6-7 6-3 1-2 Kyrgios (* – denotes next server)
ESPN digs up footage of an instance in which it’s OK to go to the other side of the court – in this case, a shot that bounces on your own side and is spinning back to the opponent’s side. The example features Pablo Carreño Busta, who coincidentally just lost to Karen Khachanov for the right to face the winner here.
Anyway, Kyrgios holds.
Medvedev 6-7 6-3 1-1 Kyrgios* (* – denotes next server)
The quality of play has bounced back after that second set.
And … ouch. Kyrgios slips and lands hard on his backside. Medvedev slowly walks around to check on his fallen opponent, and Kyrgios gets up to nod and return the sportsmanlike gesture as they touch hands.
That’s 30-30. Then it gets weird.
Kyrgios hits a terrific shot that Medvedev can only parry high and wide. Kyrgios goofs off by running around the net and hitting it with a smile. That is, unfortunately, not legal. 40-30 Medvedev, and then he holds.
John McEnroe wants to change that rule. Because he’s McEnroe. Bless him.
*Medvedev 6-7 6-3 0-1 Kyrgios (* – denotes next server)
Some of the drop shots in this game have been beautiful. At 30-15, Kyrgios drops one just over the net that leaves Medvedev frozen.
Medvedev short-circuits Kyrgios’ net approach on the next point with a shot right out the Australian’s feet, but Kyrgios holds with a service winner.
Liudmila Samsonova is up a break over Ajla Tomljanović.
Daniil Medvedev wins the second set 6-3
Because someone had to.
And Medvedev was indeed trying. Giving another break back here would’ve made this set suddenly matter. He hits wide on one chance and is forced to deuce but regains his focus just in time to close out the set.
Nick Kyrgios almost ended the match by doing this 😳#USOpen pic.twitter.com/xWYKcl5Ped
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 5, 2022
There have to betting odds for if this Medvedev v Kyrgios match even reaches its conclusion. Odds of a default seem to be increasing as both players are quite surly tonight. Not that anyone expected them to be calm.
— Reilly Opelka’s Beard (@opelkasbeard) September 5, 2022
Updated
*Medvedev 6-7 5-3 Kyrgios (* – denotes next server)
“OK then,” Kyrgios says (again, not literally). “Maybe I’ll play better and actually try to win this set.”
A disinterested Medvedev sprays the ball all over the court, and Kyrgios holds.
Medvedev 6-7 5-2 Kyrgios* (* – denotes next server)
“Oh no you don’t,” Medvedev says (not literally). “I’m going to play badly, too.” Kyrgios wins back a break after two truly dreadful games of tennis.
Ajla Tomljanović, the player who ousted Serena Williams, is now playing in Louis Armstrong Stadium against Liudmila Samsonova.
Medvedev 6-7 4-1 Kyrgios* (* – denotes next server)
“Medvedev has got to get the first-serve percentage up,” says John McEnroe.
Ace.
McEnroe isn’t wrong, though. Even after holding serve here, Medvedev is hitting 54%. The good news is that he’s won 85% of those points.
*Medvedev 6-7 3-1 Kyrgios (* – denotes next server)
Medvedev wins one point on a precise drop shot, but the rest of the game is all Kyrgios.
As mentioned a few games ago, Karen Khachanov will be the next opponent for one of these gentlemen, having defeated Pablo Carreno Busta 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3.
Medvedev 6-7 3-0 Kyrgios* (* – denotes next server)
Medvedev has taken quite a fondness to towels in this game. Not surprising, given the humidity of the late summer on the East Coast right now.
Kyrgios flirts with a serious penalty by smacking the ball toward the stands. It doesn’t go high enough to hit anyone, so he can go back to worrying about things are going on the court, which, in that game, were just so-so. Medvedev holds.
*Medvedev 6-7 2-0 Kyrgios (* – denotes next server)
Medvedev takes advantage of a Kyrgios net approach to hit a clean winner. He takes the next point, then gets three set points on a Kyrgios double fault. Kyrgios keeps his cool with a booming serve and a forehand winner in the corner to save two, then gets to deuce with an ace.
Then it’s another double fault. Kyrgios talks to himself or potentially a demonic apparition that only he can see.
The next rally sees Kyrgios go to and then fall over the brink. Medvedev gets to Kyrgios’ ill-advised drop shot, then stretches to hit Kyrgios’ lob attempt. Medvedev next hits a sloppy forehand, and Kyrgios volleys … into the net. Big lapse from the Australian in that game, and he’s down a break.
Medvedev 6-7 1-0 Kyrgios* (* – denotes next server)
The people in the Kyrgios box are not popular people. Kyrgios has argued with his own entourage at times in this tournament. Now Medvedev is annoyed, telling the umpire that the Kyrgios folks are making noise when they’re not supposed to.
Medvedev says the next time it happens, he won’t play until someone is out.
And then he holds at love.
Kyrgios wins first set 7-6 (1,382-1,380. OK: 13-11)
Medvedev serves, and after a brief rally, Kyrgios casually hits a drop shot as if stirring his morning coffee and Red Bull. Set point again.
This time, Medvedev cracks and hits long. 13-11 Kyrgios. (My headline is an exaggeration.)
Updated
Medvedev serves and again gives Kyrgios a chance to pounce on a second serve. Kyrgios wins a brief rally to earn another set point, this one on his serve.
Kyrgios serves. Fault, into the net. He plays the next rally very aggressively until he finally eases off a bit, then eases off too much and hits into the net. 10-10, and this set has gone for an hour. And Kyrgios is once again agitated at some unseen force.
Kyrgios serves, then plays the mother of all drop shots to earn another set point.
Medvedev serves and makes a rare net approach to win the point. Kyrgios slams his racket again. Aren’t those things expensive? 11-11.
The winner tonight will face Karen Khachanov.
Kyrgios serves and seems surprised that it’s returned. One error later, Medvedev has set point.
Medvedev serves and barely misses a set-clinching ace. Then Krygios gets a good look at a second serve and hits a backhand winner down the line.
Medvedev serves. Ace, and he’ll have another set point.
Kyrgios serves, runs Medvedev back and forth, then drops a shot on the sideline that any rational human would’ve called out. Thanks to Hawk-eye, Kyrgios stays in by a thread.
Kyrgios serves, hits a winner, and now he has set point.
Medvedev serves, ace, 9-9, changeover again. This is going to be a long night, isn’t it?
Medvedev serves, and gets moved out of position multiple times. Then it’s a lazy shot from Kyrgios into the net, who responds by slamming his racket. Looks like a small piece broke off. 5-5
Medvedev serves and immediately earns set point.
Kyrgios serves, and Medvedev hits long. 6-6.
Medvedev ace.
Kyrgios ace.
Medvedev wins a long rally (22 shots, longest of the night) to put us back on serve.
Kyrgios serves, and Medvedev hits poorly. 3-1
Kyrgios serves, and it’s an old-school serve-and-volley that works to perfection. 4-1
Medvedev serves, and Kyrgios tees off on his second serve. But Medvedev turns the tide to hit a cool winner. 4-2 at the change.
First-set tiebreaker
Kyrgios serves, and it’s a bomb. 1-0.
Medvedev serves. Kyrgios gets it back over but with little venom on it, and Medvedev slams it home. 1-1
Medvedev serves to Kyrgios’ forehand, and Kyrgios hits it down the line before Medvedev can even get out of his serving motion. 2-1 Kyrgios, mini-break.
Medvedev 6-6 Kyrgios
Maybe someone with a better understanding of serve-clock mechanics can explain why Kyrgios is so agitated.
“I play the fastest on Tour,” Kyrgios says to the umpire during the changeover. “I get back to the baseline, and there’s four seconds left. What are you doing"?”
Well, gotta argue with something.
And maybe it’s motivated him. With a few superb, deceptive shots, he forces deuce.
Now Medvedev is annoyed because Kyrgios is apparently talking a bit between points. The chair umpire leans forward, wondering what she did to deserve this assignment.
Medvedev wins the next two. Tiebreaker time.
*Medvedev 5-6 Kyrgios (* – denotes next server)
A bit of a blunder at 30-0 for Kyrgios, as he lets the ball go, thinking it might go out, only to see it land about five feet in.
Kyrgios wins the next but loses the one after that, and then … it’s Mad Nick, arguing with the chair umpire about the serve clock.
He cleverly plays the next point with a nice drop that forces Medvedev forward, then calmly hits into an unguarded court to hold.
Medvedev 5-5 Kyrgios* (* – denotes next server)
Medvedev holds at love, punctuated by two aces.
Stats through 10 games …
Kyrgios has six aces and has landed 82% of his first serves.
Not many unforced errors either way: 6 Kyrgios, 5 Medvedev
*Medvedev 4-5 Kyrgios* (* – denotes next server)
Have I used the word “sublime” yet tonight? That’s how Medvedev returned at 15-15, dinking the ball cross-court and forcing Kyrgios to stretch to reach it.
Smash, smash, smash, and Kyrgios holds anyway. Medvedev will serve to prolong the set.
Medvedev 4-4 Kyrgios* (* – denotes next server)
Kyrgios takes the first point.
Ace, won rally, ace, backhand winner off Kyrgios’ return. That was quick.
*Medvedev 3-4 Kyrgios (* – denotes next server)
Now Medvedev urges the crowd to get on his side, miraculously dropping the ball in front of Kyrgios’ feet right at the net to go up 15-30. He wins the next one and has two break points.
Kyrgios uses nearly all of the serve clock to compose himself, then dominates the next rally. But Medvedev calmly returns everything in the next one, Kyrgios hits into the net, and we’re back on serve.
Summary
Medvedev 2-4 Kyrgios* (* – denotes next server)
Ready … BREAK!
Kyrgios earns a break point with a couple of nifty shots to move Medvedev from side to side. Kyrgios does his best to pump up the crowd, gets a response, and then sees Medvedev press a bit hard on the next one.
Next door at Louis Armstrong Stadium, we have a fifth set between 12th seed Pablo Carreño Busta and 27th seed Karen Khachanov.
Coco Gauff advanced earlier today. She’s a Kyrgios fan:
This from Coco Gauff on Nick Kyrgios 😊👇 pic.twitter.com/GRCbnnA9Y4
— Luigi Gatto (@gigicat7_) September 3, 2022
*Medvedev 2-3 Kyrgios (* – denotes next server)
I blinked. Kyrgios held. Anyone else think they should raise the net in men’s tennis?
Medvedev 2-2 Kyrgios* (* – denotes next server)
A quick smile between the two players as Medvedev lands a shot barely in. Ah, Hawk-eye. How you keep the peace. In the past, that probably would’ve been a big argument. Especially if one of the players in the ESPN booth who name ends in “enroe” was playing.
Medvedev holds at love.
*Medvedev 1-2 Kyrgios (* – denotes next server)
Game 3 opens with a 20-shot rally in which both players have to cover some ground before Kyrgios hits the net. Kyrgios rebounds with a couple of big serves, including an ace on a second serve. Then it’s a double fault, and it’s 30-30, but that’s merely an interruption in a succession of bangers.
Medvedev 1-1 Kyrgios* (* – denotes next server)
Kyrgios seems very much up for the fight tonight. Medvedev has a wayward first point. On the next, Kyrgios forces the No. 1 seed to run wide and then rushes the net. Medvedev returns once, but Kyrgios ends up with an easy winner.
An ace stems the tide, but Kyrgios wins the next for two break points.
Medvedev is No. 1 for a reason, of course, and that reason is an accumulation of positive results over a period of time that are fed into some sort of mathematical … anyway, he plays a couple of points expertly and then hits a drop shot. Ad Medvedev, and he forces the Australian to hit long on his next return. Crisis averted.
*Medvedev 0-1 Kyrgios (* – denotes next server)
After Kyrgios’ ace, we have a rather tame rally that ends when Medvedev gets the proverbial rush of blood to the head and hits wide. Kyrgios errs on the next point, but Medvedev returns the factor.
Boom. Ace. 133 mph. Ouch.
No, the match hasn’t started yet.
This isn’t even a Serena-ceremony night. Tomorrow’s a US holiday, so I guess no one’s in a hurry.
OK, here we go – Medvedev won the toss and let Krygios serve first. Ace.
Kyrgios tells ESPN’s Patrick McEnroe that he’s looking forward to playing the best player in the world in the best stadium in the world.
Both players agree that their serve will be very important. Wouldn’t it be hilarious if a player said otherwise?
Updated
I am Beau Dure! Vanquisher of Northern Virginia traffic! King of soccer refereeing! Why is my computer taking so long to load!
Thanks very much to Tom for getting this party started. We’re looking forward to a great matchup that starts at 7 pm US Sports Time (9am AEST), which means maybe … 10 minutes?
Updated
While we wait for the players to take court, here’s what Coco Gauff was doing earlier on Arthur Ashe:
That was crazy Coco 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/YdHrTRf18v
— Т🌴 (@tennisispain) September 4, 2022
These two have played each other twice already this year with the series tied at 1-1. Kyrgios won the last meeting at the Masters tournament in Canada. But it was Medvedev who won a four setter the last time they met at a grand slam: on Kyrgios’ home turf at the Australia Open. Kyrgios won the other two matches between the two, in 2019.
The evening crowd is filing into Arthur Ashe stadium after that win from Gauff earlier. It’s a humid, warm night in New York, so this one will be a leg-sapper for both men if it goes long. Or medium, for that matter.
Updated
A bit of news from the women’s draw: home hope Coco Gauff is through to the quarter-finals after overcoming Zhang Shuai on Arthur Ashe in the match before this one:
Beau will be here shortly, in the meantime here’s how Nick Kyrgios fared in his last match:
Nick Kyrgios continued his stirring progression in New York in an off-Broadway setting at Flushing Meadows on Friday night. As Serena Williams, the 23-time grand slam champion, was sent into probable retirement by fellow Australian Ajla Tomljanovic, Kyrgios was blitzing JJ Wolf 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 in 1hr 55m on nearby Louis Armstrong Stadium.
In a normal US Open, a Friday night outing on Armstrong would scarcely be a sideshow, such is the electric vibe that can be felt on a court that is grand in its own right. Kyrgios is the best supporting actor to start the US Open and the Wimbledon finalist was never seriously challenged by Wolf, a hard-working wildcard entry.
But with the American underdog Wolf giving his all, the atmosphere was particularly lively. “Amazing. It was a very tough match for me. I know JJ is a hometown favourite, so I really had to be on my guard today,” Kyrgios said.
You can read the full story below:
