By Erik Gudris | Sunday, February 15, 2015
Kei Nishikori once again mastered the Memphis Open by winning his third straight title there over Kevin Anderson in the final.
Photo Credit: Corleve
Japan's Kei Nishikori once again will leave the Memphis Open the same way when he entered it earlier this week - as champion.
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The top seeded Nishikori claimed his third straight Memphis title over No. 2 seed Kevin Anderson in Sunday's final. After having struggled through several three set battles throughout the week, Nishikori saved his best tennis for last at the long-running ATP 250 event.
Each player traded breaks in the opening set that became a test of Anderson's bigger serve versus Nishikori's better return and baseline game. Eventually Nishikori secured another break to soon take the set 6-4.
At 2-2 in the second set, Anderson found himself trying to hit a backhand winner while close at net. That resulted in an error giving Nishikori a break point opportunity. Nishikori converted on the next point with a massive backhand passing shot winner.
Nishikori, who didn't face a break point in the second set, soon served for the title at 5-4. Though Nishikori would go up 40-0, he would need several match points to close out the match. He finally did so after Anderson sent a final forehand wide on the fourth match point.
With that, Nishikori celebrated the 6-4, 6-4 victory.
The key stat was in second serve return points won. Nishikori won 62% while Anderson won only 38%.
Nishikori is now the first player to win the title in three consecutive years since the event began back in 1975. Only three other players - Jimmy Connors, Tommy Haas, and Todd Martin have each won the title two years in a row.
For his trophy, Nishikori was presented a custom Gibson guitar linking the event to the host city's rich musical history.
This year's Memphis title is now Nishikori's eighth career ATP title.