KEY POINTS

  • Nick Kyrgios defeated Daniil Medvedev in Round of 16
  • Kyrgios has qualified for his maiden US Open quarters
  • He will next take on Russia's Karen Khachanov

Nick Kyrgios got a point penalty during his Round of 16 clash with Daniil Medvedev at the US Open 2022 on Sunday.

Kyrgios had a chance to break Medvedev in the third set of their fourth-round game at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

But, World No. 25 Kyrgios instead chose to do this: After securing a point when Medvedev's return landed short of the net, instead of just taking the point, Kyrgios chose to run over to the Russian's side of the court and slam the ball to the ground. The Australian then pointed in the air and smiled.

The move from Kyrgios was illegal without any doubt as a player cannot hit an opponent's ball before it crosses the net, even if it is not going to cross the net.

From facing a break point, Kyrgios' unnecessary move cost him a point that allowed Medvedev to serve for the game by leading 40-30. The World No. 1 converted it and tied the set 1-1.

Kyrgios later told ESPN's Patrick McEnroe that he thought the play was legal, Yahoo Sports reported. However, the 27-year-old did not seem to be upset about the penalty as he continued to complain to the chair umpire about her imposition of the serve clock, an argument that had started in the first set.

Nevertheless, the penalty did not cost Kyrgios much as he went on to break Medvedev's next serve, sealed the set 6-3 and went 2-1 up in the match. The Australian player eventually clinched the game in four sets and qualified for his maiden US Open quarter-final.

Kyrgios' upcoming fixture is also against a Russian as he is set to take on Karen Khachanov on Tuesday in the US Open 2022.

Nick Kyrgios reacts during his victory over defending champion Daniil Medvedev at the US Open

Defending champion Medvedev's elimination meant he will lose his World No. 1 rank at the end of the tournament. Either Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz or Casper Ruud will climb to the top of the ATP rankings.

"It was not the first thing on my mind walking after the match, saying, 'Damn, will not be the World No. 1 anymore.' I actually don't know which place I will be. Probably three or four. I guess Carlos (Alcaraz) will pass me. I don't know, actually. But that's motivation, try to do better," Medvedev said in an on-court interview, according to ATP.