NICK KYRGIOS BATTLES THROUGH ANOTHER THREE-SETTER TO REACH FINALS IN ATLANTA TENNIS

Written by: Staff on 6th August 2016

Australian Nick Kyrgios serves the ball to Spanish Rafael Nadal during their third round match for the Italian Open Tennis Tournament at the Foro Italico in Rome, Italy, 12 May 2016. EPA/CLAUDIO ONORATI

epa05301857 Australian Nick Kyrgios serves the ball to Spanish Rafael Nadal during their third round match for the Italian Open Tennis Tournament at the Foro Italico in Rome, Italy, 12 May 2016. EPA/CLAUDIO ONORATI |

By Ricky Dimon

Nick Kyrgios has not seemed particularly enamored with the Atlanta heat this week, but he has persevered through three matches and the reward is his third career ATP final. Kyrgios survived a three-setter for a second consecutive day at the BB&T Atlanta Open, holding off Yoshihito Nishioka 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 less than 24 hours after getting the best of Fernando Verdasco.

The 21-year-old won 17 of 18 first-serve points in the opening set, so it was no surprise that one break of Nishioka proved to be enough. After breaking for 4-3, Kyrgios had to fight off two break points in the ensuing game. He had no such trouble closing out 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, Atlanta’s No. 2 seed 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 explained. “I’m saving myself to come out for the third set and win the match.”

That is exactly what the world No. 18 did. On the heels of five routine holds, Kyrgios struck in the sixth game and earned a crucial scalp of the Nishioka serve for a 4-2 advantage. He dug out of a 0-30 hole immediately thereafter by winning four consecutive before a more routine hold at 5-3 finished off the proceedings in style.

“He’s a great competitor,” Kyrgios said of 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.”

The winner was asked about his ability to stay composed–relatively speaking–despite being forced to play so many unwanted long rallies against Nishioka.

“That’s the story of my career, I guess,” Kyrgios commented. “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.”