Kyrgios, Dimitrov Advance In Tiebreakers To Reach Cincinnati Masters Final

We’ll have a new Masters champion on Sunday in Cincinnati! First-time Masters finalists Grigor Dimitrov and Nick Kyrgios collide for the Cincinnati title.

The two talented longshots at the start of the event both had similar semifinals matches, with both ending without a single break of serve.

Dimitrov was on during the day and picked up his first career win over 2013 Cincinnati finalist John Isner with a 7-6(4), 7-6(10) win in 2 hours, 3 minutes.

Dimitrov, who was appearing in his second straight Cincinnati final, saved three set points in the second set breaker to reach his first ever Masters final.

“I think it’s a good step,” said the 26-year-old Dimitrov. “It’s a good step. I have been on the tour for quite some time now, and I appreciate those moments. I’m starting to appreciate them even more.

“Being able to compete at a final, it’s always a great feeling. No matter Masters 1000 or 250, it’s always something that you work for. It all comes down to that.

For me, as I said, right now is just all about just going step by step and just building up not only my confidence, my game, to be able to do that pretty much every time I’m entering a tournament. And I feel good. I think the body is responding well. I have been playing good tennis, as well. So that actually helps.

“Hopefully tomorrow is going to be one of those days that I can, again, produce good tennis. But not only that. I just kind of want to make sure that I’m going in the right direction.”

Dimitrov finished with 10 aces, 27 winners and saved both break points he faced early in the first set.

Isner, who finished the tournament holding all 56 service games, was seeking a fourth Masters final and third title of the summer.

“I think the difference was he was a bit more decisive in the big moments,” said Isner who pounded 14 aces. “Maybe a little calmer, as well. Sometimes you take the court and everything is going well and you’re not thinking too much out there and things are free flowing. At times that was the case out there for me, but at times maybe it wasn’t. And I think that cost me a little bit. I just think he was, as I said, a little more decisive and a little more free flowing in the big moments. And of course in a match like that, separated by a few points here or there, that was the case. So credit to him.”

In the night semi, Nick Kyrgios kept up his hot serving by edging a very resilient David Ferrer 7-6(3), 7-6(4) in a match that lasted a minute longer than the first semifinal.

The 22-year-old Australian showed no signs of fatigue after winning two matches Friday, including a strong win over Rafael Nadal. Kyrgios cracked 14 aces including three in the second set breaker. And neither player could convert any of the three break points they each had.

“He was a nightmare to play, especially because I’m a tall guy and he’s not the tallest guy. He hits the ball pretty flat. The whole time there is nothing shoulder height for me to hit. I’m always trying to hit underneath and trying to hit up and over it,” Kyrgios said after his first win over Ferrer.

“It’s a tough matchup for me. I thought today I didn’t play my best tennis. I certainly didn’t serve great during the set. In the tiebreaks I served well, but I definitely didn’t bring my best tennis today. I’m just really proud that I managed to scrap out the win.”

The 35-year-old Ferrer was trying to reach his first Masters final since appearing in the 2014 Cincinnati final.

Dimitrov beat Kyrgios the only time they played back at 2015 Indian Wells in a final set tiebreaker. Kyrgios injured late in the third set, then failed to serve it out at 5-4.

“I’m going to go out there and compete and try to serve big and play big. Whatever happens, happens,” Kyrgios said.