Nick Kyrgios and Ajla Tomljanović fly flag for Australia as US Open draws open up

A lot has happened for Australian tennis players at Flushing Meadows in the past 38 years. There has been heartbreak and breakthroughs, near-misses and titles. Sam Stosur went all the way in 2011, Lleyton Hewitt in 2001, Pat Rafter in 1997 and ‘98.

One thing, though, hasn’t happened. Australia has not had both a man and woman in the final eight of the US Open singles competition at the same time. Not since Pat Cash and Wendy Turnbull in 1984.

In 2022, Nick Kyrgios and Ajla Tomljanović have ensured it will occur again, with both to continue their tilt in earnest on Wednesday morning (AEST). And the purple patch could yet continue, as the pointy end of the draw opens up for both players.

Kyrgios, on the fast track to qualifying for a second consecutive grand slam final after his run to this year’s Wimbledon decider, is in a rich vein of form after stunning world No 1 Daniil Medvedev in four sets on Monday. The 27-year-old’s fourth-round win not only means he moves back into the world’s top 20 but also that he replaces Alex de Minaur as Australia’s No 1.

He will next meet another Russian in 27th seed Karen Khachanov, who has a 1-1 record against Kyrgios but is backing up from a taxing five-setter against Spaniard Pablo Carreño Busta.

Success against Khachanov will mean a semi-final against 13th seed Matteo Berrettini or fifth seed Casper Ruud. Given Rafael Nadal’s loss to American Frances Tiafoe on Tuesday, the sole favourite on the other side of the draw is now Carlos Alcaraz.

“Now I’ve won two against two quality opponents I’ve been able to showcase [my talent],” Kyrgios said. “There’s a lot of celebrities here, a lot of important people here watching. I wanted to get on that court and show them I am able to put my head