The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : Nishikori shocks Blake to win Delray Beach

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Nishikori shocks Blake to win Delray Beach

— PHOTO: AFP

OVERWHELMING RELIEF: It took a lot out of Nicolas Almagro to beat the seasoned Carlos Moya, particularly after losing his way in the second set where he was distracted by a few disputed line calls.

DELRAY BEACH: Teenager Kei Nishikori became the first Japanese player to win an ATP event for nearly 16 years when he shocked top seed James Blake in the Delray Beach International final on Sunday.

The 18-year-old qualifier beat the American ranked more than 200 places above him 3-6, 6-1, 6-4.

After dropping the first set, the free-swinging Nishikori found his range on his service and groundstrokes, punishing Blake with a barrage of backhand winners.

Nishikori saved three break points in his first service game of the third set, then immediately broke Blake with a clean down-the-line backhand return that the American could not retrieve. The young Japanese showed no nerves in the latter stages, serving out the match to love to claim the first title of his career. Nishikori came into the tournament ranked 244th while Blake was 12th.

Almagro pips Moya

Spain’s Nicolas Almagro beat top-seeded compatriot Carlos Moya 7-6(4), 3-6, 7-5 to win the Brazil Open on Sunday. The 22-year-old Almagro used his aggressive style and superior fitness to wear down the experienced Moya and claim his third ATP title.

The results (finals): At Delray Beach (Delray Beach International): Kei Nishikori bt James Blake 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. At Costa do Sauipe (Brasil Open): Nicolas Almagro bt Carlos Moya 7-6(4), 3-6, 7-5.

At Vina Del Mar (Cachantun Cup) Flavia Penneta bt Klara Zakopalova 6-4, 5-4 retired. — Agencies

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