Monday 10 August 2015 16:26, UK
Kei Nishikori came from a set down to beat big-serving American John Isner 4-6 6-4 6-4 in the Washington Open final.
Second-seeded Nishikori, the runner-up at the US Open last year, weathered 18 aces from 6’10” Isner, who lost his third final in Washington after previous defeats to Andy Roddick and Juan Martin Del Potro.
For the third time in five matches, Nishikori dropped the opening set before turning things around to win in three at the US capital's combined ATP and WTA hardcourt event, a warm-up for Flushing Meadows which starts in three weeks.
He will now jump one spot from fifth to fourth in the world rankings when they are released on Monday.
"I'm very happy to win today," Nishikori said. "It was a tight match. It's never easy against a big server like John.
"I'm looking forward to playing again in the US Open.”
Nishikori took the title despite connecting with only 59 per cent of his first serves but still managed to win 42 of his 46 first-serve points.
Isner, who will jump from 18th to 12th in Monday's ATP rankings, took the only break of the first set in the last game.
Nishikori netted a forehand to surrender two break chances but Isner needed only one thanks to a service return forehand winner down the line.
The Japanese star answered by opening the second set with a break, as Isner hit a forehand wide on the decisive point on a call that withstood review, and then held serve five times to force a third set.
Nishikori jumped on a second serve for a return winner to break Isner, then held at love to take a 3-1 lead in the final set.
He held at love again in the eighth game for a 5-3 edge and again at love in the last game, winning on a forehand winner.
