Fast feet and slow backhands.

That was the mercurial mix that engineered Grigor Dimitrov’s maiden ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title over Nick Kyrgios at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati on Sunday. Dimitrov won 6-3, 7-5, saving both break points faced while winning a dominant 69 per cent (18/26) of second serves, which was far superior to Kyrgios’ 44 per cent (8/18).

Dimitrov showed exemplary footwork and speed on defence, many times sliding on the hard court well behind the baseline, miraculously putting one more ball back in play. It had a cumulative effect on Kyrgios, who had no answer for his quicker opponent when rally lengths reached double digits.

There were 16 rallies in the match that were at least 10 shots long, and Dimitrov amazingly won 15 of them. Kyrgios dominated the “first-strike” rallies, 38-34, when a maximum of only four shots were hit in the court.

But Dimitrov led 33-14 when a rally was extended to five shots or longer. That fifth ball in play was the line in the sand that clearly separated who was favoured to ultimately win the point.

It was one of those matches where there didn’t seem to be a ball that Kyrgios could hit that Dimitrov couldn’t run down.

Rally Length: Points Won
• 0-4 Shots: Kyrgios 38 / Dimitrov 34

• 5-9 Shots: Dimitrov 18 / Kyrgios 13

• 10+ Shots: Dimitrov 15 / Kyrgios 1

The main defensive weapon for Dimitrov was his slice backhand, which had the added benefit of giving Kyrgios less power for the Australian to use back at him.

When Dimitrov defeated Feliciano Lopez 7-6(5), 6-4 in his second-round match in Cincinnati, Dimitrov’s average groundstroke speed was a quick 76 mph. But against Kyrgios, Dimitrov dropped it 10 mph on purpose, averaging just 66 mph, to Kyrgios’ 68 mph. Kyrgios simply had nothing to work with.

Kyrgios Groundstroke Errors
Once the point migrated past the explosive serve and return at the beginning of the point, Dimitrov was always looking to match up his forehand to the Australian’s backhand. Kyrgios committed 12 backhand groundstroke errors for the match, with eight of them coming right after a probing Dimitrov forehand. Of the four backhands that followed a Dimitrov backhand, two were from a slice backhand, and two followed a topspin backhand.

Kyrgios also committed 12 forehand groundstroke errors, with eight preceded by a Dimitrov forehand, and four from a backhand. Interestingly, Kyrgios missed four low forehand approach shots, with three of them coming off a heavy slice backhand from Dimitrov that stayed low.

Read More: Kyrgios Pleased With Cincy Final Run

Overall, Kyrgios won only 5/9 (56 per cent) points at net, missing several more opportunities to come forward by not taking care of the approach shot.

Dimitrov’s clever defensive game plan worked to perfection against Kyrgios. The Bulgarian shrunk the court with his blinding speed and made Kyrgios over play because he routinely had to hit the ball lower and slower out of strike zone. It was as smart a strategic match as Dimitrov has ever played.

Grigor Dimitrov is a set away from winning the biggest title of his career at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati on Sunday afternoon.

The seventh seed took the first set 6-3 against Nick Kyrgios during the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 final. The Bulgarian erased both break points faced and has now held 46 of his 47 service games at the Masters 1000 event.

Dimitrov came up big on his lone break opportunity, returning a 129 mph serve from Kyrgios that the Aussie then netted. Kyrgios did not lose his serve during his semi-final win against David Ferrer. The Bulgarian has also been more solid from the back of the court, having won 17 of the 21 baseline rallies.

Both players are going for their first Masters 1000 title. Dimitrov is looking to win his third crown of the season after winning Brisbane and Sofia to start the year. He is 27-4 this season when he has won the first set.

Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut captured their second straight ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title in dramatic fashion on Sunday at the Western & Southern Open. The Frenchmen celebrated a 7-6(6) 6-4 victory over Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares, as Herbert lunged for a stunning return that landed just inside the tramline for the lone break of the match.

Herbert and Mahut, who lifted the Coupe Rogers trophy just one week ago, extend their win streak to eight in a row with the win in Cincinnati. It marks the second straight year in which a team has completed the Canada-Cincinnati double, following Ivan Dodig and Marcelo Melo in 2016.

“We’re having a good run,” said Herbert. “It’s our second straight title in Cincinnati and we’re looking forward to a third at the US Open… It’s an amazing run we’re having.

“I think it was a great final, a great level of doubles. Both teams are playing well. It all came down to one or two points. So it was a great match and we came out winning. So it’s an amazing feeling right now and we are just happy to win.”

Moreover, the French duo have now won six ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crowns, all at different tournaments. They reeled off three straight victories to open their 2016 campaign, in Indian Wells, Miami and Monte Carlo, and have now compiled another streak of three consecutive Masters 1000 titles, triumphing in Rome, Montreal and Cincinnati.

“It was good to play in front of many fans today,” said Mahut. “I think Jamie and Bruno played really great tennis all the week and today. A little bit lucky to get the first set and then at the end we won the match. It was really, really close, but was on our side today.”

Herbert and Mahut needed one hour and 35 minutes to notch their 10th team title overall, saving all four break points faced. Herbert’s heroics on their first match point – and first break point of the final – sealed the victory. They split $295,500 in prize money and 1,000 Emirates ATP Doubles Rankings points, further solidifying their place among the top threats bidding to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals.

Individually, Mahut clinched his 20th tour-level doubles title, while Herbert moved to 11-5 in title matches. Murray and Soares dropped to 6-4 in finals together, sharing $144,670 in prize money and 600 Emirates ATP Doubles Rankings points.

“It’s us again. Sorry.”#CincyTennis doubles champions @nmahut and @p2hugz are getting used to these messages… pic.twitter.com/PpSbWdOq8B

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 20, 2017

After a one-year hiatus, the ATP Challenger Tour is back in western Canada for the 12th edition of the Odlum Brown VanOpen. Under the helm of new tournament director and 2006 champion Rik de Voest, they picked up right where they left off.

The bustling Canadian metropolis of Vancouver has welcomed world-class tennis for more than a decade and the players have taken notice. Seven of the eight seeds featured in this week’s draw are in the Top 100 of the Emirates ATP Rankings, with World No. 79 Jordan Thompson and a resurgent Cedrik-Marcel Stebe slated to square off for the title on Sunday.

“It’s been great,” said Thompson, who is into his second ATP Challenger Tour final in less than a month, following a runner-up finish in Binghamton. “It’s one of the best Challengers in my book. Obviously you can’t beat the view from the top of the club. It’s just amazing and the people have been really nice and helpful here.”

Located at the multi-million dollar sports centre at Hollyburn Country Club in the beautiful suburb of West Vancouver, the venue offers some of the more picturesque views on the ATP Challenger Tour. Surrounded by the Howe Sound and Coast Mountains, players visiting Hollyburn have not only been treated to a world-class and opulent facility, but a relaxing retreat during the hectic summer hard-court season.

It’s one of the more picturesque skyline views on the #ATPChallenger Tour. @vanopentennis welcomes fans on SF Saturday at the Hollyburn CC. pic.twitter.com/EHiGwaUSfT

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) August 19, 2017

And perhaps the tournament’s greatest feature is the housing it offers its players. Traveling throughout the season can take its toll both physically and emotionally. A slice of home life on the road is always welcomed and with Hollyburn members opening their doors – and fast cars – players are treated to some of the finest hospitality the tour has to offer. Quarter-finalist Liam Broady is grateful for his host family, the Christiansens.

“They’ve housed a couple of English guys in the past and it definitely gets your adrenaline running in the morning when you’re coming in a fast car. It’s all fun,” Broady told ATPWorldTour.com. “The housing I have received at other events has always been great but the host family I have had here are fantastic. They have a beautiful home and are an amazing help throughout the tournament in any way they can.

“This is personally my favourite tournament of the year for many reasons. The host families are amazing and so is the club and the city of Vancouver. I know a lot of players feel the same way. Everybody was sad to see it off the calendar for 2016. Thankfully this year it was back bigger and better than ever. Hopefully it will be back again next year and in the years to come.”

Taro Daniel ?? is enjoying the beautiful waters of #WestVancouver this week at the Odlum Brown #VanOpen! #bestplayerhousing #ATP pic.twitter.com/MZpj2vNtn5

— Odlum Brown VanOpen (@vanopentennis) August 17, 2017

Broady upset top seed and four-time champion Dudi Sela in the second round, en route to his third Challenger quarter-final of the season and a projected return to the Top 250 of the Emirates ATP Rankings. The tournament also featured the final professional singles match of Canadian stalwart Philip Bester’s career, as well as a slew of #NextGenATP stars – six in total – looking to continue their ascents.

“It’s been really great,” said American teen Taylor Fritz, who also reached the quarter-finals. “This is definitely one of the nicest Challengers I’ve been to. With the attendance so high, the second I stepped on the Centre Court I was thinking that it feels like an ATP World Tour centre court. It’s really nice and the club’s great too. I’ve really enjoyed it.”

“I think it’s an amazing tournament for a Challenger,” added Austria’s Sebastian Ofner. “It’s not a big difference from an ATP tournament and the location is very nice. I also like the housing so you can live with someone. It’s just a very good tournament.”

On Sunday, second seed Thompson will vie for his fifth Challenger title and first of the year against former World No. 71 Stebe, who continues to plot his return to the Top 100 after missing nearly three years following hip surgery. The inspiring 26 year old was ranked outside the Top 500 a year ago and is into his third final of 2017, seeking a second title (Poprad Tatry).

Stay connected with the Odlum Brown VanOpen throughout the year at vanopen.com and check out their daily podcasts from the tournament, featuring player interviews and more.

View FedEx ATP Head2Head matchups for the Western & Southern Open final and vote for who you think will win!

Kyrgios vs. Dimitrov

No. 7 seed Grigor Dimitrov and unseeded Nick Kyrgios will meet at the Western & Southern Open on Sunday in the biggest final of their respective careers. Not since Guillermo Canas defeated Andy Roddick at 2002 Toronto have two first-time ATP Masters 1000 finalists met for an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title. The Bulgarian and Aussie are also contesting the first Masters 1000, Nitto ATP Finals or Grand Slam championship match between players born in the 1990s.

Dimitrov lost three Masters 1000 and two Grand Slam semi-finals before breaking through Saturday with a 7-6(4), 7-6(10) win over John Isner. The 26-year-old has been broken once all week, posting four straight wins for the first time since starting the season 16-1.

Dimitrov has won one ATP World Tour 500 and five ATP World Tour 250 titles, while Kyrgios has won one ATP World Tour 500 and two ATP World Tour 250 titles. Both Dimitrov and Kyrgios are 23-6 on hard courts in 2017, tying them with Roger Federer and Jack Sock for most wins on the surface this season.

Kyrgios, who also won his semi-final in two tie-breaks, bids to become the first unseeded Cincinnati champion in the Open Era and the first unseeded Masters 1000 champion since David Nalbandian at 2007 Paris. The World No. 23 would be the lowest-ranked Cincinnati champion since No. 49 Tom Gorman in 1975 and Masters 1000 champion since No. 26 Ivan Ljubicic at 2010 Indian Wells. Kyrgios, 22, is the youngest Cincinnati finalist since Novak Djokovic in 2009 and would be the youngest Cincinnati champion since Andy Murray one year earlier.

No. 3 seeds Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares face No. 5 seeds Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut in a doubles final featuring the last two US Open champions. Either Murray or Mahut will win his 20th ATP World Tour doubles title. Murray also seeks his first Masters 1000 title. Herbert and Mahut are 5-1 in ATP Masters 1000 finals, including a title last week in Montreal.

ATP WORLD TOUR FINALS BETWEEN PLAYERS BORN IN 1990S

YEAR TOURNAMENT LEVEL FINAL

2017 Cincinnati 1000 Grigor Dimitrov vs. Nick Kyrgios

2017 Munich 250 Alexander Zverev d. Guido Pella

2017 Rio de Janeiro 500 Dominic Thiem d. Pablo Carreno Busta

2017 Memphis 250 Ryan Harrison d. Nikoloz Basilashvili

2017 Sofia 250 Grigor Dimitrov d. David Goffin

2016 Tokyo 500 Nick Kyrgios d. David Goffin

2016 Metz 250 Lucas Pouille d. Dominic Thiem

2016 Nice 250 Dominic Thiem d. Alexander Zverev

2016 Istanbul 250 Diego Schwartzman d. Grigor Dimitrov

2016 Marrakech 250 Federico Delbonis d. Borna Coric

2016 Acapulco 500 Dominic Thiem d. Bernard Tomic

2015 Gstaad 250 Dominic Thiem d. David Goffin

2014 Washington 500 Milos Raonic d. Vasek Pospisil

2014 Kitzbuehel 250 David Goffin d. Dominic Thiem

EMIRATES ATP RANKING POINTS AND PRIZE MONEY

INFOSYS ATP SCORES & STATS