US Open explains umpire's actions in Kyrgios-Herbert match

The US Open has formally weighed in on the actions of chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani during Thursday's match between Nick Kyrgios and Pierre-Hugues Herbert.

Here's the tournament's explanation of the event, via The New York Times' Ben Rothenberg:

After the third game of the second set in the Kyrgios-Herbert match on Court 17, with Kyrgios down 0-3, Chair Umpire Mohamed Lahyani left his chair to check on the condition of Nick Kyrgios. He came out of the chair because of the noise level in the stadium during the changeover to make sure he could communicate effectively with Kyrgios.

Lahyani was concerned that Kyrgios might need medical attention. Lahyani told Kyrgios that if he was feeling ill, that the tournament could provide medical help. He also informed Kyrgios that if his seeming lack of interest in the match continued, that as the chair umpire, he would need to take action. He again suggested to Kyrgios that he could receive medical attention.

At the next changeover, Kyrgios, down 1-4, received treatment from the physio.

Lahyani raised eyebrows for what appeared to sound more like an encouraging pep talk than a formal directive from an impartial official. He was heard telling the Australian, "I want to help you," among other seemingly sympathetic pleas.

Player health has been a point of emphasis in Flushing Meadows this week as temperatures have hovered in the mid-90s throughout the early stages of the tournament. Officials instituted an impromptu "Extreme Heat Policy" for the men's matches for the first time in US Open history, allowing both combatants to take a 10-minute break to cool down indoors between the third and fourth sets.

Kyrgios bounced back to take the match 4-6, 7-6 (6), 6-3, 6-0. With Thursday's moment with Lahyani behind him, the 23-year-old will prepare to face off against Roger Federer in the third round Saturday.