Nick Kyrgios has never been ranked in the top-20. The Aussie has played like a member of that group since returning to the court in June, winning 20 of 23 matches and having no intention to stop. The Wimbledon finalist and the Washington winner defeated world no. 1 Daniil Medvedev 6-7, 6-4, 6-2 in the second round in Montreal. The Aussie dethroned the Russian in an hour and 59 minutes and scored his third victory over him in four encounters. Thus, Medvedev dropped 1000 points and left the door wide open for Alexander Zverev or Rafael Nadal to take the ATP throne away from him in the upcoming weeks. Nick won ten points more than Daniil and played better behind the first serve. Kyrgios defended both break points and stayed calm after losing the opener to overpower the defending champion. Medvedev lost steam in the second set, experienced three breaks to hit the exit door, and dropped massive points in the year-end no. 1 battle.
Nick Kyrgios toppled world no. 1 Daniil Medvedev in the second round.
Nick followed the rival’s pace in the more extended rallies and toppled him in the shortest ones to emerge at the top. The Aussie had 34 winners and 25 unforced errors, while the Russian delivered a 29-28 ratio, not enough to prevail. There was nothing for the returners to work with in the encounter’s opening nine games, and Kyrgios held at love for a 5-4 advantage in 24 minutes! Daniil wasted three game points in game ten and faced a set point after a loose drop shot. Medvedev denied it with a powerful serve and did the same on the second to prolong the set and his chances. The Russian made a better start in the tie break and opened a 3-1 advantage after the Aussie’s wayward volley at the net. Nick sprayed a forehand drive-volley mistake to fall further behind, and Daniil moved 6-1 up with a service winner. World no. 1 seized the second set point after Nick’s terrible volley at the net to wrap up the opener in 48 minutes.
Suddenly, Kyrgios broke at 15 at the start of the second set following Medvedev’s loose forehand. The Aussie produced four comfortable holds to settle into a fine rhythm and forge a 5-3 advantage. Daniil held at love while serving for the set in game nine, and Nick introduced a decider following a service winner at 5-4. The Aussie fended off two break chances in the final set’s second game with winners and held with a powerful serve for 1-1. Daniil moved 40-15 up on serve in game five, but instead of bringing it home, he allowed Nick to prolong it. The Aussie earned a break point with a deep return, and the Russian denied it with a backhand down the line winner. Kyrgios passed Medvedev with a backhand crosscourt to seize the second break chance and open the crucial 3-2 advantage. Nick grabbed another break at 4-2 to extend the lead and held at love in the next one to emerge at the top and move into the third round.