US Open Day 7 Preview: Medvedev & Kyrgios In NYC Showdown

A blockbuster fourth-round clash between World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev and Nick Kyrgios headlines the action on Sunday at the US Open, where Matteo Berrettini and Casper Ruud are also seeking to reach the quarter-finals at the hard-court major in New York.

ATPTour.com looks at five things to watch on Day 7 at Flushing Meadows.

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1) Medvedev Vs. Kyrgios Part III: New York plays host to the third act of a gripping 2022 rivalry on Sunday as World No. 1 Medvedev and the in-form Kyrgios collide.

Medvedev proved too strong for the Australian over four sets at the Australian Open in January, but Kyrgios improved his lead in the pair’s ATP Head2Head series to 3-1 with an impressive three-set triumph in Montreal in mid-August. A confident Kyrgios is 13-2 since reaching his maiden major final at Wimbledon in July, and Medvedev is prepared for a match of fine margins.

“We’ve played great matches. I think all have been quite tight on the scoreboard,” said Medvedev after defeating Wu Yibing in the third round in New York. “It’s 3-1 to him but I will try to do better this time and it will be a great match for people to watch.”

A spot in the quarter-finals is not the only thing on the line for Medvedev, who would lose his No. 1 spot in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings after the US Open should he fall to Kyrgios on Sunday. For Kyrgios, securing a quarter-final berth would lift the Australian back into the Top 20 of the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings.

2) Berrettini To Brave Foki?: Matteo Berrettini fended off the challenge of 2012 champion Andy Murray on Friday to progress to the fourth round for the fourth consecutive year. Next up, the 13th seed faces another player renowned for his on-court resilience in Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.

Davidovich Fokina rallied from a two-sets-to-one deficit to defeat Marton Fucsovics in the third round, and the World No. 39 will enter his second tour-level meeting against 2019 semi-finalist Berrettini with confidence — he was a straight-sets winner in the pair’s sole previous meeting on the clay in Monte Carlo in 2021.

3) Ruud Seeks To Halt Moutet’s Dream Run: Casper Ruud is into uncharted territory in New York. The Norwegian held firm to beat Tommy Paul over five sets on Friday and reach the fourth round at Flushing Meadows for the first time. The run follows a significant breakthrough for Ruud at Grand Slam level after his maiden championship match appearance at Roland Garros in June.

Ruud’s next opponent, Corentin Moutet, thought his US Open was over eight days ago after falling in the final round of qualifying. Yet the Frenchman has seized his opportunity as a lucky loser to surge to the fourth round of a major for the first time. Sunday’s clash will be the maiden tour-level meeting between dangerous lefty Moutet and fifth seed Ruud.

4) Carreno Busta & Khachanov Clash: Is Pablo Carreno Busta embarking on another dream US Open run? The Spaniard was a semi-finalist in New York in 2017 and 2020, and the 12th seed has been a consistent performer so far this fortnight, defeating 2020 champion Dominic Thiem, Alexander Bublik and Alex de Minaur all in four sets.

The Montreal champion now meets Karen Khachanov as he chases his 10th win of the North American hard-court swing. The World No. 31 Khachanov has won the past three meetings between the pair, including clashes on hard courts at the Tokyo Olympics and at Indian Wells. Can Carreno Busta summon more New York magic to halt that trend on Sunday?

5) Ram/Salisbury Aim To Maintain Momentum: Defending doubles champions Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury have been in ominous form in New York so far, producing two straight-sets victories to reach the third round for the fourth year in a row. Yet their next opponents, Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini, also know a thing or two about winning at the majors.

The Italians triumphed at the 2015 Australian Open and reached the semi-finals in New York in 2011. With both teams chasing their third tour-level titles of 2022, top seeds Ram and Salisbury could be set their biggest test yet as they chase their third Grand Slam crown.