Dimitrov downs Kyrgios to win Cincinnati Open
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[August 21, 2017]
(Reuters) - Grigor Dimitrov
clinched the biggest title of his career and enjoyed a huge
confidence boost ahead of the U.S. Open by beating Nick Kyrgios 6-3
7-5 to win the Cincinnati Open on Sunday.
With three of the 'Big Four' players nursing injuries and Rafa Nadal
knocked out in the quarter-finals by Kyrgios, Bulgarian Dimitrov
grasped his chance with both hands, winning his first Masters 1000
series event under a broiling hot sun.
A break in each set was enough for the seventh seed to claim his
third title of the year and seventh of his career.
“I'm just happy. There's nothing else I can say, honestly," the
26-year-old told reporters.
"I'm just happy and I'm humbled to have that trophy in my hands, and
especially to win here, my first Masters 1000.
"I always like this tournament. I have played it quite a few times
and always thought this can be maybe one of the first ones, and it
is the first one."
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Dimitrov did not drop a set all tournament, the first player to do
so at a Masters 1000 tournament since Novak Djokovic's 2007 win at
Miami.
He was almost impregnable on serve, winning 52 of his 53 service
games.
"Going to the (U.S.) Open, it's for sure a lot of positivity with
it," said Dimitrov, a semi-finalist at the Australian Open in
January.
"But the most important thing now is just to stay grounded, keep on
doing the same work, believe in myself, and just prepare the best
way that I can for the Open."
Both players were in their maiden Masters 1000 title
match but Dimitrov showed more poise than his 22-year-old opponent,
saving a pair of early break points to set the tone.
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![](../images/082117pics/sports53.jpg)
Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) returns a shot against Nick Kyrgios (AUS) in
the finals during the Western and Southern Open at the Lindner
Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY
Sports
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Kyrgios's 31 unforced errors comfortably outstripped his 21 winners,
the combustible Australian unable to find the magic he produced in
his quarter-final win over Nadal.
But he was thrilled with his run to a first final of the year,
having been jeered by the crowd three weeks ago at the Citi Open in
Washington D.C. when he retired from his match with a shoulder
injury.
"Looking back from where I was... I would have never thought I would
have had my first Masters 1000 event final," he said.
"So I'm pretty happy with the result. From where I was to here, it's
just been amazing.
"I lost today but I feel great. I feel great where I'm at right now
... I'm pretty excited for the U.S. Open."
The U.S. Open starts Aug. 28.
(Reporting by Andrew Both in Cary, North Carolina and Jahmal Corner
in Los Angeles; Editing by Ian Ransom) [© 2017 Thomson Reuters. All
rights reserved.]
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