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Knocked off No. 1 ranking, Medvedev rues 2022 major show

Kyrgios' 7-6(11) 3-6 6-3 6-2 win meant the 26-year-old Medvedev will lose the bulk of the 2,000 ranking points he claimed by lifting his maiden Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows last year.

Published on: Sep 5, 2022, 16:29:14 IST
Reuters | New York
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Sunday's defeat by Nick Kyrgios in the U.S. Open fourth round would have tasted extra bitter to Daniil Medvedev with the Russian also set to lose his world number one ranking as his title defence ended in New York.

Daniil Medvedev, left, of Russia, and Nick Kyrgios, right, of Australia, greet each other after Kyrgios won the match during the fourth round of the U.S. Open (AP)
Daniil Medvedev, left, of Russia, and Nick Kyrgios, right, of Australia, greet each other after Kyrgios won the match during the fourth round of the U.S. Open (AP)

Kyrgios' 7-6(11) 3-6 6-3 6-2 win meant the 26-year-old Medvedev will lose the bulk of the 2,000 ranking points he claimed by lifting his maiden Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows last year.

"I'm trying to look good here, but I'm disappointed," Medvedev told reporters.

"Not going to cry in the room, but I'm a little bit disappointed. For few days I'm going to be just a little bit sad, looking at my phone, my laptop or watching some series."

Spaniard Rafa Nadal, ranked third, is in pole position to reclaim top spot when the rankings are updated next Monday as he is defending no points and playing the hardcourt major for the first time since 2019.

Fourth-ranked Carlos Alcaraz and Norway's world number seven Casper Ruud also have a shot at top spot.

"It was not the first thing on my mind walking after the match, saying, 'Damn, will not be the world number one any more'," Medvedev said, adding that losing top spot would motivate him.

"I actually don't know which place I will be. Probably three, four. I guess Carlos will pass me. I don't know actually."

After losing to Nadal in the Australian Open final at the start of the year, Medvedev exited the French Open in the fourth round. A ban on Russian players at Wimbledon due to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine forced Medvedev to miss the grasscourt major.

"Obviously, it was the last slam of the year. Didn't do well enough. Didn't win in Australia when I had the chance. Didn't get the chance to play Wimbledon. Roland Garros, lost fourth round. Here fourth round," he said.

"Yeah, should do better. Should get more points if I want to be world number one again."

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