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Australian Open: Medvedev miffed with Melbourne crowd after beating Kyrgios - Not easy when you get booed

YB WEB DESK. Dated: 1/21/2022 3:53:15 PM

Melbourne, Jan 20 World No. 2 Daniil Medvedev did not hold back as he let his disappointment with the Rod Laver Arena crowd known on Thursday after he defeated Nick Kyrgios in an entertaining men's singles second-round match on Thursday at the Australian Open. Daniil Medvedev lashed out at the Melbourne crowd that rallied behind local hope Nick Kyrgios, saying it was hard to focus as the crowd was booing him in between first and second serves throughout the four-setter that extended to 2 hours and 58 minutes. Despite dropping the 3rd set, Medvedev marched into the third round, beating a pumped up Kyrgios 7-6 (1), 6-4, 4-6, 6-2. Medvedev said he was unable to hear Jim Courier during their on-court interview and urged the crowd to at least respect the legendary presenter and former World No. 1 player. "I came to win this match and I am happy that I managed to do it," Medvedev said. "Yeah, that's the only choice (remaining calm) when you get booed between the first and second serves. It was not easy. So had to stay calm and win the match," he added. "I can't hear him, please. Show some respect for Jim Courier. If you respect somebody, at least, respect Jim Courier," he added. A capacity 50% crowd cheered on every Kyrgios point at a floodlit Rod Laver Arena but despite their fanatic support, the Australian maverick could not find a way past the US Open champion who showed nerves of steel. An inspired Kyrgios forced a break of serve in the third set to take the match into the fourth but Medvedev, who is the highest-ranked men's player remaining following Novak Djokovic's deportation, soon regained control. A double break in the fourth set made it look easy for last year's Australian.