Nishikori Wins Tokyo Crown, Improves London Chances

Kei Nishikori captured his second Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships title on Sunday to further improve his chances of becoming the first Asian player to qualify for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals next month.

Nishikori defeated fellow London hopeful Milos Raonic, the same player he beat for the 2012 Tokyo title, 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-4 under a closed roof at the Ariake Colosseum.

Nishikori has won back-to-back ATP World Tour titles for the first time, having lifted the Kuala Lumpur crown (d.

In the first set, Nishikori’s only half-chance of a break came in the ninth game, when Raonic got out of trouble at 4-4, 0/30.

On Nishikori’s first set point opportunity, on Raonic’s serve at 5/6, the Japanese hit an angled slice off a big first serve.

Raonic approached the net, striking down the line, but Nishikori reacted quickly to whip a forehand crosscourt winner into space to clinch the 46-minute set.

At 3-3, 30/40, Raonic rushed the net with a deep groundstroke, which forced Nishikori back to hit a perfectly timed lob winner.

Two points later, Nishikori struck a backhand into the net to give Raonic hit first service break.

Raonic lost five of his service points in the 44-minute second set.

With victory in sight, Nishikori was aggressive and took the ball early to set up three set points on Raonic’s serve when he led 5-4.