The new Nick Kyrgios is causing havoc on the court for all the right reasons, completing a stunning title double in Washington DC to fire a reminder about his upcoming US Open potential.
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In the perfect build up to the US Open later this month, Kyrgios needed just 81 minutes to beat Yoshihito Nishioka 6-4, 6-3 in another clinical display.
Shortly after lifting the men's singles trophy, Kyrgios combined with Jack Sock to defeat Ivan Dodig and Austin Krajicek 7-5 6-4.
It was his seventh career title and follows his Grand Slam doubles win at the Australian Open and breakthrough Wimbledon finals appearance against Novak Djokovic.
"He's a hell of an opponent," Kyrgios said. "It's very emotional for me, to see where I was at last year to now, it's an incredible transformation.
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"I love this court ... just really, really happy with myself."
Despite not earning any rankings points at Wimbledon due to the ATP's objection to a ban on Russian and Belarusian players, Kyrgios's win in Washington lifts him to 37th on the world rankings.
Ahead of big events in Montreal and Cincinnati, it means Kyrgios is closing in on an all-important seeding for the US Open starting on August 29 in New York.
Kyrgios has turned his life around on and off the court over the past 12 months, finding new love for tennis and being able to finally deliver results that match his talent.
The Canberran had been successful in the past and won six titles up until 2019, but the consistency he has showed this year is well beyond what many thought he was capable of.
He pushed Djokovic all the way in the Wimbledon final and had chances to win his first singles major, but in the end couldn't reach the sport's pinnacle.
The 27-year-old took a break after Wimbledon and withdrew from the singles event in Atlanta, but did team up with Thanasi Kokkinakis again to win the doubles title.
In the past Kyrgios would have struggled to back up after mentally-draining tournaments, but he showed calmness in Washington DC and even had to win two matches in one day to advance.
"I just came out with great energy. I knew I had experience on my side today ... I love this court and I've played so many good matches here," Kyrgios said.
"You know, I've been in some really dark places and just to be able to turn it around, I think there's so many people who have helped me get here.
"For 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's serve was imperious throughout the tournament, getting through 64 games in the tournament without being broken once.
The 27-year-old fired down 12 aces in Sunday's final against Nishioka, also hitting 32 winners in a confident display to secure his seventh career title.
Having won the doubles title in Atlanta last week with fellow Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis, Kyrgios then went back-to-back partnering Sock in a straight-sets win over Dodig and Krajicek.
As in his singles win, Kyrgios and Sock held serve throughout the final, winning 95 per cent of points on their first serve in the 79-minute victory.
"I just came out with great energy. I knew I had experience on my side today ... I love this court and I've played so many good matches here," Kyrgios said.
"You know, I've been in some really dark places and just to be able to turn it around, I think there's so many people who have helped me get here.
"For 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."
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