Grigor Dimitrov vs Nick Kyrgios (6-3, 7-5)
Few sports betting pundits expected Grigor Dimitrov to win the title at Cincinnati, but the Bulgarian star exceeded expectations as he defied betting odds to win his first Masters 1000 and the biggest title of his career.
It was indeed a surreal and memorable moment for the 26-year-old who, at 26 years old, hasn’t had a chance to shine behind the shadow of the Big 4.
And in the absence of such tall walls, Dimitrov showed what he’s capable of as he rightfully and deservedly took the title against one of the game’s brightest young star, Nick Kyrgios.
Dimitrov wasn’t favoured to win in the final, with most betting websites backing Kyrgios to win it all after he took down Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinal. However, the Bulgarian played his cards well and executed a defensive game plan to take down the highly-entertaining Aussie.
Using his great footwork and speed, it looked like that there’s nothing that Dimitrov can’t return. He has a great read of Kyrgios’ power and shot-making, so he played the long game and led the match to long rallies to dominate.
Dimitrov returned Kyrgios’ big forehands and accurate backhands well to win the first set; and although the Australian star fought back in the second – tying the match at 5-5 – he committed three double faults that gave his opponent a decisive break, an opportunity that Dimitrov gladly took to serve out and win.
Kyrgios hit more aces with 15 while Dimitrov only had six; but the latter won the overall service game, particularly on the second serve in which he won 69 percent (18/26). In comparison, the 22-year-old won just eight of his 18 second-serve points.
Another statistic worth mentioning was Kyrgios’ errors. He did send out 21 winners, but it was largely cancelled out by his 31 unforced errors.
“I was struggling a couple of weeks ago and he got me out on the practice court. We practised for an hour-and-a-half and I was struggling and he was fresh,” Kyrgios said. “You had me mentally today already. I was like, ‘I know this guy’s fitter than me’.”
Kyrgios would have been the first unseeded Cincinnati champion in the Open Era had he won, though he would still be happy with the result especially after an injury-riddled season that prompted him to quit several matches this summer.
Meanwhile, with his victory, Dimitrov is now set to move up to ninth in the world rankings.
“I’m just happy. There’s nothing else I can say, honestly. I’m just happy and I’m humbled to have that trophy in my hands, and especially to win here, my first Masters 1000. It’s just amazing. 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,” Dimitrov said.
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