MALAYSIAN OPEN, KUALA LUMPUR 2014
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
by ATP Staff
|28.09.2014
© AFP/Getty ImagesKei Nishikori wins his third title of the season in Kuala Lumpur.Top seed Kei Nishikori won his third ATP World Tour title of the season on Sunday as he denied Julien Benneteau with a 7-6(4), 6-4 victory in the Malaysian Open, Kuala Lumpur final.
Victory at this ATP World Tour 250 indoor hard-court tournament earns Nishikori a net 170 points in the Emirates ATP Race To London to extend his lead over seventh-placed David Ferrer. Nishikori surged into contention to qualify for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals after reaching his maiden Grand Slam final at the US Open (l. to Cilic). He is hoping to become the first Asian man to compete at the season finale.
The 24-year-old Nishikori has a 44-10 mark on the season, highlighted also by titles in Memphis (d. Karlovic) and Barcelona (d. Giraldo) and a runner-up showing at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 in Madrid (l. to Nadal).
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"It was a really tough start, because he was playing so aggressive," said Nishikori. "I was waiting for my opportunity. I had so many break points and I couldn't take them. In the last game, he got a little bit tight and I took my chance. After that I played much better and I think he was getting a little bit tired in the second set. I tried to raise my level. It wasn't my best tennis, but it's good to win like this."
While there was joy for Nishikori, though, there was heartache for Benneteau, who had been looking to win his first ATP World Tour title after losing in nine previous finals. The Frenchman was contesting the Kuala Lumpur final for the third year in a row, having finished runner-up in 2012 (l. to Monaco) and 2013 (l. to Sousa).
The 32-year-old Benneteau, who had upset second seed Ernests Gulbis in the semi-finals, led Nishikori by a break and served for the first set, but could not maintain his lead, despite saving nine of the 10 break points he faced. Nishikori wrapped up victory in one hour and 47 minutes, having won 72 per cent of his service points.
"It was a very good week and today was my best match of the week," said Benneteau. "Kei was simply too good in the key moments, especially at the end of the first set. I had some chances, but against these kinds of players, they are small chances and you have to take them. I tried to play my best and I almost did it. I'm disappointed with the loss, but very happy with the level of my game. It's hard to keep that level of intensity in every point and every game. I need to improve this to be more consistent."
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Source : http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2014/09/39/Kuala-Lumpur-Final-Nishikori-Benneteau.aspx
