Berserker to bonafide contender: Is this the summer of Nick Kyrgios after Citi Open win ahead of US Open?

Once upon a time, Nick Kyrgios was seen as a berserker: capable of destroying a draw with a devastating performance against a top seed but equally capable of self-imploding at any time against any player in the draw. He was like a firecracker; loud, explosive, sometimes spectacular, but (usually) shortlived. These days, he’s burning brighter than ever.

Kyrgios is enjoying a career-best year. Ad He’s made the semi-finals or better at five of his last six tournaments, including reaching the Wimbledon final and winning the Citi Open in Washington DC on Sunday. He only missed out on the chance to make it six from six due to injury in Mallorca.

TennisFederer at 41: What's next? Will he play the US Open?12 HOURS AGO His rocket serve looks better than ever; in DC he wasn’t broken all week and he finished the tournament with 96 aces. He’s still the same showman – see his finish against Marcos Giron when he asked a fan where to serve on match point – but there’s more seriousness and determination to his game. On Friday he won two matches and in the second of those, a highly watchable three-setter against Frances Tiafoe, he saved five match points.

Kyrgios has also continued to excel in doubles, making the final in DC alongside Jack Sock after winning the title at the Atlanta Open with Thanasi Kokkinakis. Kyrgios seems to have found the consistency that has eluded him for almost all of his career. If there had been ranking points on offer at Wimbledon he would be ranked around No.

15 in the world. As it stands he is No. 37, and well on course to be seeded for the US Open.