Japan’s Nishikori outlasts Isner to win Washington title

Second seed Kei Nishikori of Japan captured the Citi Open, defeating towering American eighth seed John Isner 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in Sunday’s final and avenging his loss in this year’s Miami Masters quarterfinals.

It was one other D.C. disappointment for 30-year-old Isner, who misplaced within the Citi Open ultimate for the third time in six years. “It was a close game, but I’m happy to avenge”.

Nishikori, however broke in the first game of the next set despite two aces from Isner in the only game of the set that went to deuce until the last.

“Hopefully, I can get some revenge against Marin”, Nishikori said. “That will help us going into these next three big tournaments and crescendos at the U.S. Open in New York”.

“Certainly have not lost to any slouches”, said Isner, beaten for the title by Andy Roddick in 2007 and Juan Martin del Potro in 2013.

Nishikori became the first Asian singles victor in the tournament’s 47-year history despite connecting on only 59 percent of his first serves. “I’m excited to play again on the big stage”.

“I am enjoying nicely and I am wanting ahead to holding it going on the US Open“.

It is Nishikori’s 10th career title and third of 2015, when he is 43-9. However, after successfully seeing the set off, he faced the early trouble in the second, when Nishikori fought back with an immediate break and consolidated the lead for 2-0.

Stephens was playing in her first career final when she took to the courts on Sunday, but it didn’t look that way, as the former Australian Open semifinalist cruised past Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-1, 6-2 for the Citi Open Championship. He dully answered this time, taking the toll to 13-3 and capturing the match, while grabbing a break in the third game and holding serve to the finish line. French fourth seed Richard Gasquet coming off a Wimbledon semifinal run was upset by 37th-ranked American Jack Sock 6-7 (4/7) 7-6 (7/5) 6-4 after two hours and 33 minutes.

“I just didn’t make enough inroads on his first serves”, Isner said.

Asked about the course of the match, Isner replied: “He’s arguably the best in the best in the world from the baseline. He’s gifted with talent and he works his tail off. He’s a great player and a great champion”.

When a reporter mistakenly asked about dropping four Washington finals, Isner held up three fingers and said with a chuckle: “It’s not that bad”. Nishikori began the second set with a break, as Isner hit a forehand wide on break point, and held serve five times to force a third set.