CINCINNATI (AFP) - Grigor Dimitrov captured his seventh and biggest career title Sunday, defeating Australia's Nick Kyrgios 6-3, 7-5 to win the ATP Cincinnati Masters and boost his confidence for the U.S. Open.
The 11th-ranked Bulgarian never dropped a set in taking the top prize of $954,225 and his first Masters title, a perfect stepping stone into the year's last Grand Slam event that begins a week from Monday.
"In the big picture, it means a lot to me," Dimitrov said. "I'm pretty confident after that win. This is what I've been practicing for. It's my biggest win so far.
In the highest-level ATP final ever contested between two players born in the 1990s, Dimitrov collected his tour-best 24th hardcourt match victory of the year and third title of 2017 after Brisbane and Sofia.
Kyrgios, who ousted Monday's new world number one Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals, has not won an ATP title since taking his third last year in Tokyo.