KYRGIOS MATCHES INTO CINCINNATI OPEN FINAL

Nick Kyrgios has matched into his first ATP 1000 final. He is focused on being the first Australian to lift a Masters series since Lleyton Hewitt at the Indian Wells tournament of 2003.

He would be facing a tough opponent though in GrigorDimitrov.

Kyrgios has been impressive in Cincinnati, defeating Ivo Karlovic, Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer. It was Ferrer who gave him tips that helped his fitness level, according to Kyrgios.

“I played him when I qualified for the US Open, and I think his coach met up with my coach [Simon Rea]. They kind of wrote down on a big sheet of paper what I had to improve on. One of the things I know I’ll never forget on the sheet was ‘Learn to suffer.’”

Kyrgios added that Ferrer cautioned him against eating KFC every day as he was getting “pretty fat” and “not a great athlete.” The Aussie star admitted that Ferrer has always been kind to him but when they me in the semis, he did not return the favour.

Kyrgios defeated the Spanish veteran 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-4) to book a spot in the final. The 22-year old will battle the winner against the big serving John Isner.Dimitrov sent his rival out, winning 7-6 (7-4) 7-6.

The World No 23 Kyrgios would be seeking his fourth ATP Tour title after wins in Tokyo, Atlanta and Marseille. This would be the first in the 1000 category though but he would have to fully shrug off hip and shoulder concerns to stand a chance against Dimitrov. His rival defeated him when they last met at the Indian Wells in 2015 but this is a different Kyrgios.