US Open 2022: Khachanov sets up Ruud clash after taking out Kyrgios; Garcia, Jabeur in women's semifinals

Bengaluru, September 7: Karen Khachanov has edged Nick Kyrgios in a big-serving five-set three-and-a-half hour battle to charge into the first Grand Slam semifinal of his career at the US Open 2022.

The 27th-seeded Russian, who had fallen in the quarters at the 2019 French Open and 2021 Wimbledon Championships, prevailed 7-5, 4-6, 7-5, 6-7 (3-7) 6-4 over the Australian 23rd seed to set up a semifinal date with fifth seed Casper Ruud.

In a match devoid of atmosphere in the first half and overflowing with electricity in the second half, the 27th seed withstood 31 aces and vocal crowd support for his opponent en route to a hard-fought win after earlier coming within two points of victory in the fourth set.

The result ended the run of Kyrgios who had won the most matches on the ATP Tour since losing July's Wimbledon final to Novak Djokovic.

The Australian had also taken out reigning champion and top seed Daniil Medvedev in the fourth round.

Khachanov, who fired 30 aces himself, advances to play Norway's Ruud, who has the opportunity to finish the tournament as the new world No. 1 in the ATP Rankings.

Khachanov's flamboyance

Little split these two players in an extremely tight quarterfinal, with 31-30 aces edged by Kyrgios, but many of Khachanov's came at crucial moments under pressure.

Kyrgios' flamboyance and shot-making ability was on show, but his inability to convert break points, along with 58 unforced errors, ultimately proved the difference, taking two of nine.

Ruthless Ruud

Earlier, Ruud reached his maiden US Open semifinal and fought to keep his world No.1 hopes alive with a gritty win in New York. The Norwegian showed no signs of pressure in dismissing 13th seed Matteo Berrettini with a statement 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) quarterfinal victory at Flushing Meadows.

Ruud was at the top of his game in the opening two sets, taking the first inside half an hour, but Berrettini made a contest of the third though the Norwegian pulled it back in the fourth. Into his first US Open semifinal - and his second at a Grand Slam following a run to the final at Roland Garros this year - Ruud, along with Carlos Alcaraz has a chance of becoming the new world No.1

Garcia supreme

On the women's draw, Caroline Garcia kept her terrific form going with a stylish 6-3, 6-4 victory against 18-year-old Coco Gauff in the quarterfinal.

The 28-year-old has now not lost a set in her past six matches, dating back to her final against Petra Kvitova at the Western & Southern Open, and now finds herself in the first Grand Slam semifinal of her career.

Jabeur too makes it

Tunisian Ons Jabeur also advanced through to her first US Open semifinal after defeating the in-form Ajla Tomljanovic 6-4, 7-6 (7-4).

Jabeur, the world No.5, became the first woman from Africa to make the last four at Flushing Meadows after a powerful display in the quarterfinals accounted for an opponent who has belatedly started to pose problems at Grand Slams.