Kyrgios dominates Berdych to set up Open 13 final vs. Cilic
MARSEILLE, France (AP) Big-serving Nick Kyrgios beat second-seeded Czech Tomas Berdych 6-4, 6-2 on Saturday to remain on course for his first career title, setting up an Open 13 final against the fourth-seed, Marin Cilic of Croatia.
After Cilic downed No. 8 Benoit Paire of France 6-2, 6-7 (3), 6-3 in the earlier semifinal, Kyrgios followed up in style. The unseeded Australian broke Berdych's serve three times and did not concede a single break-point chance.
Kyrgios, who lost his only previous final on outdoor clay last year in Estoril, Portugal, had 15 aces in a brilliant display of serving.
After winning 100 percent of the points on his first serve in the second set against No. 3 Richard Gasquet on Friday, Kyrgios, ranked 41st, repeated that feat in the first set against Berdych.
Cilic, meanwhile, is aiming for his 15th career title and first since winning on hard courts in Moscow last October.
The 2014 U.S. Open champion had 22 aces compared with 13 for Paire, who dropped his serve four times while Cilic lost his only once.
