'I can't do that?' - Nick Kyrgios' incredible brainfade gives free point to Daniil Medvedev in US Open classic

Kieran Francis

•
'I can't do that?' - Nick Kyrgios' incredible brainfade gives free point to Daniil Medvedev in US Open classic image

An incredible Nick Kyrgios brainfade where he appeared to not know a rule has cost him a crucial point in the US Open fourth-round blockbuster against Daniil Medvedev.

The moment occurred in Medvedev's first service game in the third set with the match tied at one set apiece after an incredible contest filled with Kyrgios antics and the Russian even threatening to quit at one point.

As a Medvedev shot looped into air and was not going to reach the net, Kyrgios incredibly crossed on to the world No.1's side of the court and swatted the ball into court, before celebrating toward his players box.

All Kyrgios needed to do was literally nothing, to win the point and get a break point on Medvedev's serve.

But tennis laws stipulate that you cannot cross on to the opponent's side of the court during the play.

Medvedev was awarded the point and ended up holding serve to make it 1-1 on the third set.

During the next change of ends, Kyrgios asked courtside commentator Patrick McEnroe why he wasn't allowed to cross the court and hit the winner.

Kyrgios was also heard telling his team that he thought the shot was 'legal'.

The brainfade ultimately didn't cost Kyrgios who broke Medvedev in his next service game and went on to win the third set 6-3.

Kieran Francis

Kieran Francis Photo

Kieran Francis is a senior editor at The Sporting News based in Melbourne, Australia. He started at Sportal.com.au before being a part of the transition to Sporting News in 2015. Just prior to the 2018 World Cup, he was appointed chief editor of Goal.com in Australia. He has now returned to The Sporting News where his passions lay in football, AFL, poker and cricket - when he is not on holiday.