Kei Nishikori has beaten Daniil Medvedev 6-4 3-6 6-2 to scoop the Brisbane International title, ending a 31-month title drought. The Japanese star last won a tournament on the ATP Tour in June 2016 when he saw off the rest of the field to lift the Memphis Open crown for a fourth successive time.
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Sunday’s triumph takes Nishikori’s career tally to 12 tour titles but he was made to work hard by the Russian world number 16.
Nishikori conceded the first three games of the opening set and had to dig deep to avoid falling at the final hurdle.
Medvedev responded to claim the second set but Nishikori’s experience shone through in the final as he saw out the game 6-4 3-6 6-2. “I’m really happy to win the championship,” Nishikori said. “I’m glad I could get revenge for Medvedev beating me at last year’s Rakuten Japan Open. “I want to come here next year and win again.”
