Nick Kyrgios and Grigor Dimitrov will both make their Masters 1000 final debuts after winning their semi-finals at the Western & Southern Open.
In the day’s first semi-final, Grigor Dimitrov battled past John Isner 7-6(4), 7-6(10) despite having just one break point in the match.
Nick Kyrgios then followed suit with a hard-fought victory over the tenacious David Ferrer. The 22-year-old served supremely to win 7-6(3) 7-6(4).
With both players making their Masters 1000 debuts, whoever wins will take home the biggest title of their career.
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Mature Kyrgios powers through Ferrer test
The match began in entertaining fashion with the Spaniard chasing down an audacious Kyrgios drop shot before holding.
This is gonna be good…@DavidFerrer87 opens up this match in style!#CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/qsq1vedfr9
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 19, 2017
The early exchanges were even between the two with Kyrgios’ serve providing much of the damage. The first signs of trouble regarding Kyrgios’ hip reared its head in the six game as the Australian appeared to stretch it.
That did not stop him from pushing Ferrer in the very next game, his forehand finding it’s range. Ferrer halted any chance of a Kyrgios break with his relentless running, chasing down a marvellous Kyrgios drop shot.
The set rolled into a tie-break without a break point opportunity for either man. A couple of errors from Ferrer’s racket that turned the tide.
A double fault and groundstroke error gifted Kyrgios a 4-1 lead and Ferrer could not recover. The Australian went on to win the tie-break 7-3 to put him in the driving seat.
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Momentum remained with the Australian early in the second set and he established two break point opportunities. Ferrer though, in typical fashion, fought off both before going onto hold for 2-2.
The Spaniard found himself in an identical position a game later but an ace and flawless dropshot from Kyrgios saved both break points. After saving another break point, Kyrgios held.
The match continued on serve until suddenly, a couple of excellent passing shots brought up match point for Kyrgios. He failed to capitalise though, missing his return of serve and Ferrer held.
It would take yet another tie-break to settle this match. A similar pattern occurred to the first set tie-break as Kyrgios established an early lead. Ferrer, as with the first set, could not recover and the 22-year-old sealed the victory after a Ferrer error.
Grigor Dimitrov delight at maiden Masters final
In the bottom section of the draw, 7th seed Grigor Dimitrov faced a tough match against big-serving John Isner.
Isner has fond memories in Cincinnati after reaching the final in 2013 where he lost in straight sets to Rafael Nadal. After picking up two titles in July and progressing to the semi-finals without dropping a set, Isner had the form ahead of this match.
Grigor Dimitrov currently 6th in the Race to London. 5th with a title tomorrow.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) August 19, 2017
The contest itself progressed in typical Isner fashion. The first set was memorable for it’s impressive serving as both players held easily. Isner carved out two break point opportunities but those came and went.
It would take a tie-break to separate the two. Much like the set itself, both held serve routinely, with a single mistake from Isner proving the difference. Dimitrov eventually sealed the tie-break 7-4.
Much of the same in the second set as the two continued to paint the lines with their serves. With rallies barely lasting longer than five points it took little time to reach the latter stages of the set.
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Dimitrov had his first break point chance at 5-4 in the second set, giving him match point. A booming serve meant Isner would fend it off, forcing his way through to another tie-break.
In the tie-break the two were inseparable. Isner almost sneaked the set from the Bulgarian’s grasp but a huge backhand down the line from Dimitrov saved the set point.
Finally, the Bulgarian booked his spot in his first Masters 1000 final after Isner dumped a forehand into the net.
Grigor Dimitrov will face Nick Kyrgios in the Western & Southern Open Final on Sunday 20 August.
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