Nadal (3rd), the best positioned to assault the world leadership in New York, and Alcaraz (4th) will play their round of 16 matches this Monday against the American Francis Tiafoe and the Croatian Marin Cilic respectively.
The Norwegian Casper Ruud (7th) is also in the race for number one but with fewer options than the Spanish.
Double loot became available in New York with the Medvedev’s unappealable defeat against the reborn Kyrgios 7-6 (13-11), 3-6, 6-3 and 6-2 on the center court of Flushing Meadows (New York).
Medvedev, who had lost three of their previous four meetings, was under the brunt of the pressure and failed to raise his game to the same level as the Australian.
If he (Kyrgios) plays like this until the end of the tournament, he has every chance to win it.
Daniel Medvedev
“It was a very high-level match, on his part,” Medvedev acknowledged. “If he plays like this until the end of the tournament, he has every chance of winning it. But he’s going to have tough opponents.”
Playing his cards shrewdly, the Aussie hit 21 aces and 53 winners that surpassed the best defensive player on tour.
The Aussie congratulated himself on reaching his first US Open quarter-final at the age of 27.
“Losing the Wimbledon final was a bitter pill to swallow, but now I want to go all the way here,” he said. “I’m happy to finally be able to show my talent in New York… it only took me 27 years.”
Kyrgios’ rival for the Open semifinals will be Russian Karen Khachanovnumber 31 in the ATP, who once again dealt a painful defeat to the Spanish Pablo Carreño.