A “TRANSFORMED” Nick Kyrgios has continued his red-hot form in 2022, winning the Citi Open in Washington overnight. The Australian proved too good for Japanese giant-killer Yoshihito Nishioka, winning in straight sets, 6-4 6-3. The win marked Kyrgios’ 11th in 12 games, with the only defeat coming in the Wimbledon final against Novak Djokovic.

Kyrgios served 12 aces to three and only dropped three points off his first serve, and 12 in total in a dominant serving performance. The 96th ranked Nishioka has enjoyed a stunning week in Washington, upsetting top seed Andrey Rublev among a host of Top 30 players, being the underdog in each match he played. Despite that fact, the 26-year-old still made it through to the decider. Unfortunately he could not add to his single ATP Tour title, as Kyrgios broke three times and saved the only break point he faced. The Australian credited his mental focus with the victory, and he is back enjoying tennis again after being in “dark places” last year.

“It’s just very emotional for me,” Kyrgios said post-match. “To see where I was at last year to now, it’s just an incredible transformation. I just came out with great energy. I knew that I had experience on my side today. I love this court, I’ve played so many good matches here, so I’m just really happy with myself.

“I’ve been in some really dark places. Just to be able to turn it around… There are so many people who have helped me get there, but myself, I’ve shown some serious strength to just continue and persevere and get through all those times and be able to still perform and win tournaments like this one.”

Kyrgios will move up to number 37 in the world, as well as number 21 on the ATP Race for the 2022 season. After the singles, Kyrgios paired with Jack Sock to win the doubles title against fourth seeds Ivan Dodig and Austin Krajicek.

SAMSONOVA TOPPLES KANEPI

In the other Washington final, Russian Liudmila Samsonova upset sixth seed Kaia Kanepi to win the WTA 250 final. Falling a set down against the Estonian, Samsonova stepped up to win the last two sets with crucial breaks to secure the 4-6 6-3 6-3 victory in an hour and 46 minutes. Samsonova served 10 aces to five and only dropped 11 points on serve in the final two sets. The Russian also managed to break three times to one in the match in order to secure her second career WTA Tour title.

“I think it was the hardest match of the week, because Kaia was playing amazing,” Samsonova said post-match. “She was serving so well. I had some troubles to find the solution on the return. It was a tough mental game today, and I’m so happy that I found the solutions.”

KASATKINA STORMS TO VICTORY OVER ROGERS

After dropping the first set in a tiebreaker, Russian Daria Kasatkina enjoyed a dominant patch to put away home nation hope Shelby Rogers in the San Jose WTA 500 event. The seventh seed won 6-7 6-1 6-2 in two hours and 32 minutes, serving nine double faults to only one ace, but won 77 per cent of her first serve points compared to Rogers’ 50 per cent. She also broke six times to two and controlled proceedings in the final two sets with four of those breaks coming in sets two and three.

AROUND THE TOUR RESULTS:

Washington – ATP 500 | Hard

Final:

Nick Kyrgios (AUS) defeated Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN) 6-4 6-3

San Jose – WTA 500 | Hard

Final:

[7] Daria Kasatkina (RUS) defeated Shelby Rogers (USA) 6-7 6-1 6-2

Washington – WTA 250 | Hard

Final:

Liudmila Samsonova (RUS) defeated [6] Kaia Kanepi (EST) 4-6 6-3 6-3