Kyrgios to face Zverev in Acapulco final

Nick Kyrgios continued his scintillating run at the Mexico Open on Friday, downing third-seeded John Isner in three sets to book a title showdown with world number three Alexander Zverev.

Australia's Kyrgios, the former world number 13 who has slipped to 72nd in the rankings, defeated Isner 7-5, 5-7, 7-6 (9/7), following victories over 17-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal and three-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka.

Kyrgios, 23, reached his first ATP final since capturing his fourth trophy in Brisbane in January 2018.

Second-seeded German Zverev powered into his first final of the year with a 7-6 (7/0), 6-3 victory over Britain's Cameron Norrie.

Two nights after he saved three match points in a final-set tiebreaker against Nadal, Kyrgios converted his third match point with a drop shot from the baseline, sealing the win after two hours and 21 minutes.

He broke Isner in the penultimate game of the opening set, and Isner returned the favor late in the second. Neither mustered a break point in the third.

"I was just trying to take care of my serve, that's really all you can do against John," said Kyrgios, who had the edge on Isner in aces with 25 to the big-serving American's 24.

The unpredictable Australian, who seemed rattled at times by hostile fans in his victories over Nadal and Wawrinka, played happily to the crowd on Friday.

"It's insane," he said. "One point they were cheering my name, another point they were booing me. It's just entertainment."
"I'm just happy to be through."