Nick Kyrgios sideshow rolls on with straight-sets defeat of JJ Wolf

Nick Kyrgios continued his stirring progression in New York in an off-Broadway setting at Flushing Meadows on Friday night. As Serena Williams, the 23-time grand slam champion, was sent into retirement by fellow Australian Ajla Tomljanovic, Kyrgios was blitzing J.J Wolf by 6-4 6-2 6-3 in 1hr 55m on nearby Louis Armstrong Stadium.

In a normal US Open, a Friday night outing on Armstrong would scarcely be a sideshow, such is the electric vibe that can be felt on a court that is grand in its own right. Kyrgios is the best supporting actor to start the US Open and the Wimbledon finalist was never seriously challenged by Wolf, a hard-working wildcard entry.

But with the American underdog Wolf giving his all, the atmosphere was particularly lively. “Amazing. It was a very tough match for me. I know J.J is a hometown favourite, so I really had to be on my guard today,” Kyrgios said.

The pending retirement of Williams, confirmed with her gallant three set loss to Tomljanovic, has created record-breaking attendances at Flushing Meadows and also cast a giant shadow over everything else. This proved no different on Friday at the Billie Jean King Tennis Centre, with an all-time daily record attendance of 72,039 making their way to outer Queens to farewell a legend.

Kyrgios said he was fully aware of the defining moment in tennis unfolding nearby as he seized control of the third round match against Wolf. “It is a special moment,” Kyrgios reflected. “I think myself and JJ looked up at the screen. She has had a career I think no-one else will emulate.”

But Kyrgios’s time as second-fiddle in New York will end on Sunday after he set up a clash with defending champion and world No 1 Daniil Medvedev. The Australian has won three of their