By Erik Gudris | Sunday, February 16, 2014

 

Japan's Kei Nishikori is strumming yet another Memphis trophy as he defended his title over Ivo Karlovic at the U.S. National Indoor Tennis Championships.

Photo Credit: AP

Top seed Kei Nishikori ran away with a second set tiebreak to defend his title at the U.S National Indoor Tennis Championships in Memphis.

Standing in his way was big serving Ivo Karlovic of Croatia who had yet to be broken in 49 service games throughout his previous four matches en route to the final.

That streak came to an end though after Nishikori broke Karlovic in the early stages of the opening set. Then borrowing a tactic straight out of Karlovic's playbook, Nishikori served an ace to hold at love for 4-2. After fighting off a break point, Nishikori then delivered yet another ace to extend his lead to 5-3.

Japan's No. 1 needed four set points a few games later, but a netted Karlovic backhand sealed the first set 6-4 for Nishikori.

Troubled by the low returns Nishikori kept sending his way, Karlovic soon found himself in early trouble in the second set. But Karlovic fought off five break points against him to hold for 2-1. Karlovic defended two more break points later in the set while he was unable to secure a break point chance against Nishikori.

Eventually, a tiebreak was needed to decide the set. A ripped forehand passing shot winner from Nishikori on the first point set the tone for the entire breaker. While Karlovic mistimed several forehands, Nishikori increased his lead with precision play.

Soon holding six match points, Nishikori only needed one as Karlovic sent a final return long. With that, Nishikori celebrated the 6-4, 7-6(0) win.

Memphis is now Nishikori's fourth career ATP title. He is the first to win back to back titles in Memphis since Tommy Haas did so in 2006.

In the doubles final, Australian Open finalists Eric Butorac and Raven Klaasen continued their recent success. Butorac and Klassen defeated top seeds Bob and Mike Bryan 6-4, 6-4.