Nick Kyrgios does not appear to be particularly enamored with the Atlanta heat this week, but he has battled through three matches and the reward is his third career ATP title match. Kyrgios survived a three-setter for a second straight day at the BB&T Atlanta Open, edging Yoshihito Nishioka 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 one day after outlasting Fernando Verdasco.
The Australian won 17 of 18 first-serve points in the first set, so it was no surprise that one break of Nishioka proved to be enough. After breaking for a 4-3 advantage, Kyrgios was forced to save two break points in the ensuing game. He had no such trouble finishing off the set on serve at 5-4, which he did to love.
Not unlike in the quarterfinals against Verdasco, Kyrgios conserved energy at every opportunity. After getting broken to fall behind 2-0 in the second, the 21-year-old decided the time was now to prepare for a third.
“When a boxer puts his hands down in the ring, it’s a strategy.” Kyrgios commented. “I’m saving myself to come out for the third set and win the match.”
That is exactly what the No. 2 seed did. In the wake of five routine holds, Kyrgios struck in the sixth game to seize a crucial scalp of the Nishioka serve for a 4-2 lead. He dug out of a 0-30 hole immediately thereafter by taking four consecutive points before a more routine service hold at 5-3 wrapped up the proceedings in style.
“He’s a great competitor,” Kyrgios said, heaping praise on the Japanese 20-year-old. “He’s unbelievably fast from the back of the court. He runs everything. He made me play a lot. Serving was key for me today, to set up that first shot. Towards the end that’s what won the match.”
Kyrgios was asked about his ability to stay composed–relatively speaking, of course–despite being forced to play so many dreaded baseline rallies against Nishioka.
“That’s the story of my career, I guess,” Kyrgios explained. “When I stay focused, I usually win. When I don’t, I lose. So I stayed focused.
“I got [to Atlanta] pretty early and I prepared pretty well for this event. I’m really comfortable. I’m glad I’m just pushing through this week; it’s not easy conditions. I definitely knew at the start of the week that I could get this far. It’s not really surprising. But it’s rewarding.”
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