Nishikori nails Raonic to win Japan Open

Eighth-seeded Kei Nishikori of Japan downed Milos Raonic of Canada 7-6 (5), 3-6, 6-0 on Sunday to win the Japan Open.

The victory gave the 22-year-old Nishikori his second career ATP tour title and first in more than four years.

Nishikori, ranked No. 17, put on a fine all-around display before a packed house at Ariake Colosseum to record the triumph against the sixth-seeded Raonic.

The Japanese lost just two games on serve against Raonic, who lacked the spark he showed on Saturday when he ousted top-seeded Andy Murray in the semifinals. Raonic was undone by unforced errors in the loss.

Nishikori, a native of Shimane Prefecture in southern Japan, is the first Japanese player to win the tournament in its 41-year history.