After two months of injuries and poor form, Nick Kyrgios will contest the US Open on the back of a near career-best week. The Australian lost the Cincinnati Masters final to Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets but claimed the scalp of world No1 Rafael Nadal in reaching Sunday’s decider.
It is hard to believe just over two weeks ago Kyrgios was forced to retire hurt down 6-3, 3-0 to world No105 Tennys Sandgren due to a shoulder injury in Washington DC.
Kyrgios went down to seventh seed Dimitrov 6-3, 7-5 on Sunday, unable to maintain the form which saw him beat Nadal in the quarter-finals. But he heads to Flushing Meadows after wins over former world No.3 David Ferrer in the final four and world No13 David Goffin, Alexandr Dolgopolov and Ivo Karlovic in the early rounds.
“Looking back from where I was … I would have never thought I would have had my first Masters 1000 event final,” Kyrgios said. “So I’m pretty happy with the result. From where I was to here, it’s just been amazing.
“First round was really a struggle and obviously got through a tough one with Dolgopolov. Gradually, I just feel back to where I should feel on a tennis court. I wasn’t enjoying it at all, didn’t want to be out there. External things were affecting how I was feeling. It really didn’t make sense. Right now, I lost today but I feel great. I feel great where I’m at right now.”