Nick Kyrgios thirsts for more titles after winning first ATP crown in Marseille
Australian tennis bad boy Nick Kyrgios says he hopes there are plenty more titles to come after winning his maiden title at the Open 13 in Marseille on Sunday.
Kyrgios staged an upset over fourth seed Marin Cilic of Croatia 6-2 7-6(3) to lift his first ATP World Tour title in his very young career. It was the Aussie’s second ATP World Tour final appearance, after coming up short last year in Estoril, and he hopes there is more to come this season.
“It feels good. It's something that I'd never done before,” Kyrgios said, reports the ATP’s official website. “To come here and win my first title is a good feeling. Hopefully there are plenty more to come.”
The 20-year-old was impressive all throughout the tournament, earning back-to-back victories over two top 10 players in the ATP World rankings in Richard Gasquet and Tomas Berdych. But what was more remarkable was Kyrgios’ run of not dropping a set and not losing serve in 47 games at the Open 13.
“I hadn't dropped a set going into the final so I just felt a lot more confident this time,” Kyrgios added. “I served great and returned really, really well. That's the one thing in my game that's improved a lot.”
Kyrgios hopes to carry his momentum when he flies to UAE to join world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka at the Dubai Tennis Championships, which starts on Monday. He will open his bid at the tournament against Slovak Martin Klizan.
Thanks for all the messages everyone. Pumped with my first title. Now on to Dubai!! __✈️✈️__
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) February 21, 2016
Prior to winning the tournament in Marseille, Kyrgios also received the go signal from fellow Aussie Lleyton Hewitt via Twitter to play for the Australian Davis Cup team, who play the first round tie against the United States on Mar. 4-6 in Kooyong. Kyrgios last played for Australia in July 2015, when he lost both singles matches against Kazakhstan.
Haha... Yeah you go alright! _ #Battle https://t.co/sWzctm2SHv
— Lleyton Hewitt (@lleytonhewitt) February 20, 2016