Shaking off back spasms to blast 18 aces, Australia's Nick Kyrgios kept his composure and captured the ATP Washington Open title Sunday, defeating Russia's 10th-ranked Daniil Medvedev 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/4).
The 24-year-old Aussie, who struggled through the opening set, claimed the $365,390 top prize and his sixth career ATP crown at the US Open tuneup event.
"This is probably my best memory of a final," Kyrgios said.
"I left it all on the court." Kyrgios, 5-1 this year against top-10 rivals, won his second title of the season after Acapulco in March and will jump 25 positions to 27th in Monday's new rankings, his first top-30 appearance in 43 weeks.
"This has been one of the greatest weeks of my life. I've made massive strides," Kyrgios said.
"This whole week has been amazing. It's a week I won't forget."
"I just wanted to clean myself up and have a healthy attitude. I showed what I can do this week."
- Pegula powers to crown -
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