Kei Nishikori successfully defends Memphis title

Japan’s Kei Nishikori finally snapped his losing streak against Ivo Karlovic of Croatia and in the process managed to defend the US National Indoor Tennis Championships title in Memphis on Sunday. Nishikori won 6-4, 7-6 against the big serving Croat.

“It’s amazing to defend a title for the first time, especially here,” Nishikori said. “I had a great memory from last year and I’m playing great.”

This is Nishikori’s fourth title in the ATP circuit and now improved to an 11-2 win-loss record this season.

Nishikori received $103,100 and 250 ATP Rankings points and is slated to be back in the world’s top 15. Karlovic is making big strides back in the world’s top 50. He will go home with $54,300 and 150 ranking points which will be enough to rise 24 spots in the rankings to 56.

“I get a lot of confidence from keeping my ranking in the Top 20,” said Nishikori. “It’s going to take some time to get to Top 10, Top 5, but I think I’m getting close.”

“It was a good week for me,” Karlovic said. “I’m really happy with the way I played. I hope I will continue like this and by the end of the year get into the Top 40.”

Eric Butorac and Raven Klaasen won their second win against top-ranked Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan this season by winning the doubles title on Sunday with a score of 6-4, 6-4.