Unbreakable Nick Kyrgios thunders into Citi Open final after defeating Mikael Ymer

Nick Kyrgios is “super excited” after continuing his career-best season by powering into the final of the Citi Open in Washington.

Backing up from his gruelling tournament workload so far – the Australian maverick finished off Reilly Opelka in their round of 16 clash on Friday then saved five match points in an epic quarter-final win over Frances Tiafoe yesterday – Kyrgios calmly dealt with Sweden’s Mikael Ymer in straight sets to swagger into another decider.

Kyrgios produced another imperious serving display to beat the 23-year-old Ymer 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 in what was the Wimbledon runner-up’s fifth semi-final appearance from his past six events. Only an abdominal strain in Mallorca tarnished the impressive streak.

Yet to be broken all week in the American capital, Kyrgios didn’t face a solitary break point against Ymer, who had ousted former world No 1 Andy Murray in the first round. Ever the showman, Kyrgios brought up set point in the opener with his 80th ace of the tournament and sealed the set with a lovely serve-volley play and backhand flick overhead winner.

The second set also proved a serving duel but the Swede was always going to come out second best against Kyrgios in this type of mood as the Australian reeled off the last three games to prevail in one hour, 34 minutes.

Kyrgios hadn’t made a final for three years but now he’s reached two in less than a month, including his breakout run to his maiden grand slam title match at Wimbledon. That four-set defeat to Djokovic at the All England Club remains the 27-year-old’s only loss in his past 11 matches since mid-June.

“Honestly I didn’t play anywhere near my best tennis today,” Kyrgios said after the match. “The past couple of matches I’ve been on paper,