On Friday, defending champion Daniil Medvedev defeated Chinese qualifier Wu Yibing with ease, winning 6-4 6-2 6-2 to advance to the fourth round of the U.S. Open and set up a thrilling matchup with Australian Nick Kyrgios.
Nick Kyrgios and Daniil Medvedev will face off at the US Open
The Russian looked every bit the champion again as he easily defeated his 22-year-old opponent by defeating Stefan Kozlov and Arthur Rinderknech in the last two rounds. The Russian fired 12 aces and converted six of twelve break points.
For the fourth consecutive year, Medvedev has advanced to the round of 16 at Flushing Meadows thanks to his victory in front of a moved Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd after Serena Williams’ defeat by Ajla Tomljanovic.
Medvedev won in an hour and 55 minutes as Wu, the first Chinese man in U.S. Open history to go to the third round, struggled with several unforced mistakes.
After winning the opening set, which was closely contested, Medvedev broke early in the second to go out to a quick 5-1 lead before winning it decisively to seize total control of the match.
Similar results occurred in the third set as Wu gave in to the constant pressure, and Medvedev continued on his path to become the first person to win back-to-back U.S. Open championships since Roger Federer’s run of five from 2004 to 2008.
The number one position would go to Rafael Nadal after the competition if Medvedev lost to Kyrgios in the following round.
“We’ve had some fantastic games. Each matchup has been closely contested on the scoreboard, according to Medvedev, who has lost three of his previous four encounters with Kyrgios, including the most recent one in Montreal less than a month ago.
The temperamental Australian, who is having his greatest tennis season to date after placing second at Wimbledon and winning in Washington, D.C. in the run-up to the U.S. Open, is facing off against Medvedev on Sunday, and the Russian player claimed he knew what he needed to accomplish.
