Grigor Dimitrov and Nick Kyrgios will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers when they battle for the Western & Southern Open title on Sunday. Their only previous encounter came two years ago on the hard courts of Indian Wells, where Dimitrov prevailed 7-6(2), 3-6, 7-6(4).
Kyrgios served for that match at 6-5 in the third only to see a sprained ankle suffered late in the contest prevent him from sealing the deal. A hip injury is what has held the 22-year-old Australian back in 2017, but he has still been good enough to earn a provisional top-eight spot for the World Tour Finals if he lifts the trophy in Cincinnati. Kyrgios is one win away from that accomplishment following defeats of David Goffin, Alexandr Dolgopolov, Ivo Karlovic, Rafael Nadal, and David Ferrer.
“I’m going to go out there and compete and try to serve big and play big,” the world No. 23 commented. “Whatever happens, happens.”
John Isner served big against Dimitrov on Saturday, but not big enough. In fact, there was not single break of serve in either of the two matches–both of which resulted in a pair of tiebreakers. The 11th-ranked Bulgarian held off Isner 7-6(4), 7-6(10) after two hours and three minutes. He preceded that victory by taking out Feliciano Lopez, Juan Martin Del Potro, and Yuichi Sugita all in straight sets.
Dimitrov has not yet surrendered a set this week and he is now 13-5 lifetime in Cincinnati with a semifinal showing last summer. The seventh seed is supremely confident at this tournament and in what is likely to be a competitive contest, he is more reliable than Kyrgios to hold up physically.
Pick: Dimitrov in 3
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brutally tough one to call
Can’t see Kyrgios not taking this one. He’s in too good form right now to come up short in the finals. Dimitrov does deserve the credit for also playing a solid game throughout this tournament, but I think Kyrgios has beaten stronger competition and will bring his A-game to the biggest match of his career so far. Gonna be an electric match nonetheless!
I thought both semis were great, everyone battled until the end. Don’t know who will win tomorrow, Nick has the edge I think, depends where he is mentally. Good luck to both!
Kyrgios has a better chance to break Dimitrov’s serve and has way more firepower than Dimitrov. Kyrgios in 2.
if he’s absolutely 100 percent
Kyrgios in 3. No one can stop Kyrgios when hes in rhythm like this except for Kyrgios himself. Assuming the same Kyrgios who showed up against Nadal and Ferrer shows up, the pace of play and court speed favors Kyrgios
Kyrgios in three
This could be the anticlimax year with two TOP big 4 coming back to rule men tennis.
Would be good if from now onwards the big 4 folded replaced by all the young guns winning slams and masters. They’ve ruled for more than a decade.
Hope that Dimi would lead this charge by winning tonight.
what could be the anticlimax of the year?
I’m leaning toward Dimitrov in 3. But that’s how I felt yesterday — lacking full confidence in Nick. He came through. May the best man win!
Kyrios just too confident this week….he’s believing in himself….should win in 2.
Nick has big chance to win his 1st Master title! I can’t help it but like his talent and the aggressive tennis he displays! A year ago I said he would be the next hope in tennis but he failed me so many times with his irresponsible and irritating behavior. He was well disciplined and played great to beat Rafa, he should just do the same against Dimi. Sadly Rafa and Dimi currently have one thing in common: failing on key points and having mental blockades on crucial points. It can make a difference in the matches like this when Nick should be able to take every opportunity and should benefit from it…
Nick in 3, unless the spoiled brat turned up again…
Nick in 2, 7-5 6-3. He is just too canny for Dimitrov.
I like Ricky’s pick of Dimitrov in 3!
That is the same score with which Dimi beat Nick in their 1st H2H.
Both are so evenly matched that this match can end in 2 or 3 sets and either can win! But leaning on Dimi to pull it out as he is the better returner than Nick.
If Ferrer can take Nick to 2 tight sets why not a 12 years younger,stronger and faster Dimi take Nick further?
BB=Over. I won big on it yesterday and will win big today also, I think!
WARNING=make your own research and bet. You(pico,tico,chico etc.) are responsible for your own bets!
Took Dimi +1.5 win or lose. He is the more stable player with more skills besides being the higher ranked player!
More skills? No. More composure? Yeah.
Ben, Dimi has more skills (better returning, serving power to match Nick’s, fantastic court movement & flexibility which nick or even 90% of ATP players can’t match, etc. etc.! Don’t want to bore you and others with Dimi’s skills superiority!lol), more composure and more of everything, Period!lol Proof? Watch his games very closely on slowmo and make notes…then you can see his real skills!
There is a reason why they cal Dimi, BABY FED!
ATP, feed BABY FED, more milk powder. Wat? Nope. Ha,ha,ha…more wins and Trophies!
Consider this though. If Kyrgios is pretty mentally unpredictable and lacks composure in comparison to Grigor, then why did more people pick Nick to win?
I also want to add that Nick watched his buddy/rival Alex Zverev just win last week in Canada his SECOND ATP 1000. He’s trying not to get one upped here. A few “COME ON!” shots from Kyrgios today and I see him cleaning this up.
Honestly I don’t really know who to root for in this match. Dimitrov used to be one of my favorite players when he was on the rise in 2013 and 2014 but when his form dropped it seemed to me like he cared way more about off court stuff like his relationship with Sharapova and was doing horrible with his tennis so I kind of stopped liking him as a player. Kyrgios has stayed one of my favorites because even when he turns in an atrocious performance/effort I know he can bring a great match against the top guys in the big events. This week and for many chunks of this year, both guys have seemed more focused (especially NK) and are back playing extremely well. Dimitrov just kind of fell off the map for a while and Kyrgios kind of almost did at times this season but mostly due to injury and personal conflicts. In the end, their games are beyond entertaining to watch. I would say they are two of my top five favorite players. Lost would probably go 1) Fed 2) Stan 3) Muller (but barely ahead of Nick) 4) Kyrgios 5) Dimitrov. But in this match Dimitrov is the guy who needs it more and is older so I feel compelled to root for Grigor for this reason. But I also don’t want to root against Nick plus I picked him to win the title here lol.
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My issue with Kyrgios is that I feel he only plays well when he’s in the mood. Now I am not holding injuries against him. That’s beyond his control. But I just feel that he is not fully committed to this sport. I don’t know that he wants to give his best effort all the time. Only some of the time. With so much natural talent, I think he doesn’t feel he has to work that hard.
I initially really disliked Kyrgios. But now I can tolerate him. I appreciate him when he is focused on playing great tennis and leaves the attitude and drama out of it.
But I am thinking that I might like to see Dimi win this title. He’s been around longer and struggled with ups and downs. I actually have not liked him that much and thought that he was quite over rated. But he’s worked hard to get back into good form again and I think he really wants this.
I will be okay with whoever wins, but maybe sentimentally I would prefer to see Dimi win.
Definitely I like Kyrgios better than Dimitrov. Kyrgios’ game is more exciting. But Dimitrov has grown into a more consistent player who is committed to the work ethic required. I still don’t know where Kyrgios’ mind is at – does he want to play tennis. I get a Gulbis feeling about him.
I’ve never been a big fan of Dimitrov but when he was with Sharapova and the pop singer, he just seemed pathetic. But he’s made good decisions and is a serious professional. I’ll be happy for him to win this.
Kyrgios is not playing with the energy he had vs Rafa or Ferrer. He’s far too nervous. I feel bad for him.
His backhand has been atrocious when usually his most solid shot. And the serve hasn’t been as good either. I think Ricky deserves an “I told you so!!” @ everyone on this page ?
Yes his weapons were not working properly – Nick probably was feeling it, the fatigue and pains of winning the battles with Rafa and Ferrer – plus he is in general just not as fit enough as he should be at this level to make it through a tough draw and win a title like this. Dimitrov came to prepared. Nice hug at the net 😀 Great, Great win for Grigor! Very proud of him.
Congratulations Grigor Dimitrov – keep up the good work!
HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT THAT FOREHAND ON THE RUN WAS UNREALLLLLL HOLY SHIT GRIGOR SO DESERVES THIS. WELL DONE MAN!!
Hahahah then he double faults into the bottom quarter of the net. What the crap lol.
That last forehand that Kyrgios hit long to get broken, it honestly looked like he purposefully hit it long! He barely even bent down for the shot, and he looked like he just didn’t give a shit at all. He definitely still has some serious attitude issues that he needs to deal with. It’s thoroughly disappointing. We’ve seen him compete hard before, so it’s just cringe-worthy when he reverts back to not trying…
Yeah he just went for broke and was mentally MIA on that shot. He really tried in that last game but Dimitrov was too good. Kyrgios put up a kind of poor performance though not gonna lie. I hope he still brings it in New York and same with Grigor. No offense to Zverev but I would put them above Zverev on the list of those likeliest to win there just because Zverev is still yet to do jack at the slams.
Agree somewhat Benny….mostly agree. Zverev hasn’t gone far enough in a GS for me to pick him. And Kyrgios, he needs to show me some endurance and commitment. Dimitrov is the best of the three at a GS, I think. I mean there’s a chance Sascha could surprise us, but not likely. I want to see him make a QF first!
Congrats to Dimitrov and Ricky
Thanks, Grigor!
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Dimi was the better player today and deserved to win! Well done!
Kyrgios still doesn’t seem all that invested in this sport. Not a great performance from him. I think Dimi just wanted it more.
Dimmmmmmmmmm…..i wins!
+1.5 wins Biiii….G.
But over loses(5U) Sorry guys. Going to Blame Kyrgios for this loss, who couldn’t hold on to his serve which we all expected him to do? Serving is his only weapon and he can’t hold on to his serve! Trashy Kyrgios. One trick pony Kyrgios or rather 50% pony as couldn’t just hold on to serve which is his only weapon.
Only weapon? LOL good one