BRISBANE, January 6, 2019

Kei Nishikori has clinched his first ATP Tour title since the 2016 Memphis Open. The No. 2 seed from Japan lifted the trophy of the Brisbane International winning Sunday’s final 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 against Daniil Medvedev of Russia.

Nishikori capitalized on five of his 15 break point chances to prevail after two hours and four minutes to become the first Japanese champion in Brisbane, two years after falling to Grigor Dimitrov in the championship match.

First ATP title since February 2016 🎉🍾@keinishikori beats Daniil Medvedev 6-4 3-6 6-2. #BrisbaneTennis pic.twitter.com/xLVNMxGVHG

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) 6. Januar 2019

“To win the tournament is very emotional. That’s why I’m playing,” said Nishikori. “I was trying in every final and every tournament… I played a great match against Dimitrov and today’s match was another good tennis [match]. I’m sure Daniil is going to be [in the] Top 10 soon.”

Pliskova wins women’s title

Karolina Pliskova won the women’s title. The No. 5 seed from the Czech Republic rallied past Lesia Tsurenko 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 in the final. Did the fact that she had been and won a Brisbane final before help her turn the match around against the Ukrainian?

“I’ve been here on this court. I played the final. And on many other courts. So, of course, you need a little bit more of this, too. So I’m sure if she plays more finals, she’s going to feel better after, because I think she played great. It was not much what she did wrong. Only a little bit in the end of the second set mistakes. But I think I improved my game, too, so it was on both sides a little bit she got down, I got better,” Pliskova said.