LAST UPDATE | 25 Jan 2020
NICK KYRGIOS EMERGED triumphant in a dramatic five-set clash with Karen Khachanov despite struggling with a hamstring injury, booking a highly anticipated meeting with Rafael Nadal in the fourth round of the Australian Open.
After passing up match points in the third and fourth sets, home favourite Kyrgios came out on top in the longest match of his career by beating Khachanov 6-2 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (6-8) 6-7 (7-9) 7-6 (10-8) at a raucous Melbourne Arena in four hours, 26 minutes.
Top seed Nadal beat fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta 6-1 6-2 6-4 in one hour, 38 minutes on Rod Laver Arena, while US Open runner-up Daniil Medvedev overcame Alexei Popyrin 6-4 6-3 6-2 and will face Stan Wawrinka in the last 16.
The Swiss advanced after John Isner retired while 6-4 4-1 down, with Dominic Thiem, Alexander Zverev and Gael Monfils joining him in round round four.
Kyrgios has a strained relationship with Nadal, who he described as “salty” after their meeting at last year’s Mexican Open and impersonated after being called for a time violation while serving against Gilles Simon in round two.
Asked about going up against the 19-time major champion in his on-court interview, Kyrgios said: “Whatever happened between us he’s an amazing player. I’m not even thinking about that right now, I’m thinking about my legs and getting them in an ice bath and getting some food.”
