Nick Kyrgios says there is no shame in losing to Daniil Medvedev but he definitely feels he has a good chance at upsetting the first-seeded Russian. On Friday, Kyrgios ousted J.J. Wolf 6-4 6-2 6-3 to set up a US Open round-of-16 meeting with Medvedev.
Going into the match, Kyrgios has a 3-1 head-to-head versus Medvedev. Most recently, Kyrgios defeated Medvedev at last month’s Montreal Masters. Medvedev was also the first-seeded player in Montreal, but he was sent packing after Kyrgios handed him a 6-7 (2) 6-4 6-2 loss.
“If it’s Medvedev, there’s no shame in losing to a player like that, but I definitely feel like the way I’m playing, the game plan, and the success I had against him obviously in Montreal, I definitely feel like I have a fighting chance,” Kyrgios said of facing Medvedev.
“Not many players can say that right now, going in to play Medvedev at the US Open. Like, they’re going to go out there, but I don’t think they’re down the other end of the court knowing they’re going to win.
I feel like I’m definitely one of the players that have a chance. With the way I’m playing right now, I have a chance.”
Kyrgios on Medvedev: We respect each other
Not only that Kyrgios respect Medvedev, but he also respects his coach Gilles Cervara.
“We’ve got major respect for each other. I’ve got major respect for his coach as well. He’s a great guy. Been really nice to me. Look, I think it’s going to be a fun battle,” Kyrgios added. At the start of the season, Kyrgios suffered a four-set loss to Medvedev at the Australian Open.
Now, Kyrgios and Medvedev are set to meet for the second time on the Grand Slam level. Kyrgios has been playing well at the US Open so far as he has reached the round-of-16 with only one dropped set.
