No shame for Daniil Medvedev after exiting US Open and losing number one ranking

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No shame for Daniil Medvedev after exiting US Open and losing number one ranking
Updated
Daniil Medvedev will lose his number one ranking when the points are updated
Daniil Medvedev will lose his number one ranking when the points are updated
Reuters
Russian Daniil Medvedev (26) said Nick Kyrgios (27) played to the level of Rafa Nadal (36) and Novak Djokovic (35) on Sunday, as the Australian shut down his title defence 7-6(11) 3-6 6-3 6-2 in the fourth round of the US Open.

The nimble, hard-serving Medvedev hung in with the Wimbledon finalist until the third set, where he lost all momentum and will now lose his world number one ranking in his worst showing at the New York hardcourt major since 2018.

But if he was ashamed by the outing in front of a packed crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Medvedev hardly showed it, comparing Kyrgios to his previous US Open finals opponents, 22- and 21-time Grand Slam winners Nadal and Djokovic.

"It was a high-level match. Played Novak, Rafa. They all play amazing. Nick today played kind of their level, in my opinion. He has a little bit different game because he's not like a grinder in a way. At the same time he can rally," said Medvedev. "He's tough to play. He has an amazing serve."

Medvedev reached the Australian Open final this year and made it as far as the semi-finals in the Cincinnati tune-up tournament but there was a major sign of trouble in the run-up to New York when Kyrgios knocked him out of his Montreal opener.

"If he plays like this till the end of the tournament, he has all the chances to win it," said Medvedev, who will see his world number one ranking go to Nadal, Spain's Carlos Alcaraz (19) or Norwegian Casper Ruud (23) at the tournament's end.

"But he's going to get tough opponents, so it's not sure."

And while Kyrgios' form was as cold as ice, Medvedev said another factor may have added to the chill: The American penchant for over-the-top air conditioning.

"Today I felt a little bit sick. I mean, the thing is in USA I get sick once time for sure in the swing because the AC is just crazy," he told reporters.

"I felt my throat a little bit today. I think that physically maybe that played a little bit of a role. At the same time it's not an excuse at all because Nick played good."

NUMBER ONE NO MORE

The defeat to Kyrgios would have tasted extra bitter for Medvedev with the Russian also set to lose his world number one ranking as his title defence ended in New York.

Kyrgios' win meant the Russian will lose the bulk of the 2,000 ranking points he claimed by lifting his maiden Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows last year.

"I'm trying to look good here, but I'm disappointed," Medvedev told reporters.

"Not going to cry in the room, but I'm a little bit disappointed. For few days I'm going to be just a little bit sad, looking at my phone, my laptop or watching some series."

Spaniard Rafa Nadal (36), ranked third, is in pole position to reclaim top spot when the rankings are updated next Monday as he is defending no points and playing the hardcourt major for the first time since 2019.

Fourth-ranked Carlos Alcaraz (19) and Norway's world number seven Casper Ruud (23) also have a shot at top spot.

"It was not the first thing on my mind walking after the match, saying, 'Damn, will not be the world number one anymore'," Medvedev said, adding that losing the top spot would motivate him.

"I actually don't know which place I will be. Probably three, four. I guess Carlos will pass me. I don't know actually."

After losing to Nadal in the Australian Open final at the start of the year, Medvedev exited the French Open in the fourth round. A ban on Russian players at Wimbledon due to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine forced Medvedev to miss the grasscourt major.

"Obviously, it was the last slam of the year. Didn't do well enough. Didn't win in Australia when I had the chance. Didn't get the chance to play Wimbledon. Roland Garros, lost fourth round. Here fourth round," he said.

"Yeah, should do better. Should get more points if I want to be world number one again."

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