The Australian, 63rd in the world, beat the Japanese Yoshihito Nishioka (96th) 6-4, 6-3 in the final.

"It's an incredible feeling, a great emotion for me to win a title here again," commented hot Kyrgios, whose rebirth in 2022 is spectacular, after two dark years punctuated by depression and suicidal thoughts.

"When I think back to where I was still last year, in very dark states, a great transformation has occurred... It's a very strong feeling that goes through me. I'm very, very happy about this is happening", he added to the microphone of Tennis Channel.

He adds a seventh title to his list, after those won in Marseille, Atlanta and Tokyo (2016), Brisbane (2017), Acapulco (2019) and therefore Washington, the very place where he had beaten a certain Daniil Medvedev there. three years old.

The Russian world No.1, who also made a success of his summer start on the American continent by winning Saturday in Los Cabos (Mexico), could also well stand in the way of the Australian next week. , in the 2nd round of the Masters 1000 in Montreal.

What would be a tantalizing clash, between two candidates for victory at the US Open in three weeks, where Medvedev will defend his title.

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No break conceded in the tournament

Because Kyrgios, in the wake of his excellent course on the grass of Wimbledon, where Novak Djokovic worked to win a 21st Major title there, did not drop in pace on the cement of Washington, despite a month without playing.

Since the spring, and a narrowly lost quarter-final at the Masters 1000 in Indian Wells against Rafael Nadal, his level of play has continued to rise and he is obviously not that of a 63rd in the world (no point n having been awarded at Wimbledon).

In Washington, not everything was perfect, the player, as volcanic as he is talented, notably had to save five match points in the quarter-finals against Frances Tiafoe, but he always knew how to find the necessary resources to force the decision, with shots sometimes taken from elsewhere, like those he tries and often succeeds between the legs.

Appearing slightly calmer on the court than the previous days, although always quick to raise his voice when he makes mistakes or when spectators have the misfortune to be heard too much, Kyrgios did not give Nishioka the slightest chance, who nevertheless had reason to believe in him, after having surprised the Russian Andrey Rublev in half the day before.

The scenario of the two sets was identical, since the Japanese conceded his engagement, each time from the start, and had to chase after the score without ever worrying his opponent, still as formidable in service (12 aces).

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Kyrgios, who also finished the tournament without having conceded the slightest break, then scored a double blow, since he also won the doubles final with the American Jack Sock, at the expense of the Croatian Ivan Dodig associated with the American Austin Krajicek (7-5, 6-4).

© 2022 AFP