Top seed Kei Nishikori defeated South Africa’s Kevin Anderson in straight sets to become the first player to win three consecutive Memphis Open tennis tournament titles on Sunday.
The Japanese saw off second-seeded Anderson 6-4 6-4 to clinch the indoor hardcourt World Tour event.
Having battled back from losing the opening sets in each of his three previous matches in Miami, Nishikori made a work of the showdown, needing just 75 minutes to clinch his eighth ATP Tour title.
“Today’s match was much different than (the past) couple of matches,” the 25-year-old, who topped consecutive tie-breakers in his marathon semi-final win against American Sam Queerey on Saturday, said.
“I played really solid from the baseline and returned really well.”
Anderson has now lost six ATP finals since his last victory in 2012.
“being in that stage a few times now in the finals, obviously you want it a little bit further, but it wasn’t there,” the South African said.
“I have a couple of other tournaments coming up now, so I can’t afford to dwell on this.”
