MEN’S TOUR NEWS FROM BEIJING AND TOKYO: DJOKOVIC CONTINUES ASIA DOMINATION, NISHIKORI WINS AT HOME BY RICKY DIMON

Written by: Staff on 5th October 2014

MEN'S TOUR NEWS FROM BEIJING AND TOKYO: DJOKOVIC CONTINUES ASIA DOMINATION, NISHIKORI WINS AT HOME BY RICKY DIMON

epa04433129 Novak Djokovic of Serbia poses with his trophy after defeating Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic in the men's singles final match in the China Open tennis tournament at the National Tennis Center in Beijing, China, 05 October 2014. EPA/ROLEX DELA PENA |

Novak Djokovic captured his fifth China Open title in as many tries and improved to 24-0 lifetime at the event by hammering Tomas Berdych 6-0, 6-2 in Sunday’s final. At the Rakuten Japan Open, meanwhile, fans went home happy after witnessing a much more competitive match. Hometown hero Kei Nishikori fought past Milos Raonic 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-4 for his second Tokyo winner’s trophy.

Beijing summary

It was not until Djokovic served for a double-bagel at 6-0, 5-0 that Berdych finally got on the scoreboard. The overwhelmed Czech, who was actually one point away from going the entire final without winning a single game, finally broke and then held for 2-5. Still, the overall outcome was never in any kind of doubt and Djokovic finished the job after a mere one hour and six minutes.

“I met somebody in the final who I’ve never seen before,” Berdych commented. “I just said to my coach now that I probably played over 700 matches in my career, and I met guys like Andre (Agassi), Roger (Federer); all those probably in their best times. But I have never, ever experienced anything like that.”

Djokovic fired four aces compared to just one double-fault while serving at 71 percent. The top seed won 62 percent of the points even when he had to throw in a second serve. Berdych was undone by winning a dreadful four of 18 second-serve points.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia falls during his men’s singles final match against Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic in the China Open tennis tournament at the National Tennis Center in Beijing, China, 05 October 2014. EPA/HOW HWEE YOUNG

Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic in action during his men’s singles final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the China Open tennis tournament at the National Tennis Center in Beijing, China, 05 October 2014. EPA/HOW HWEE YOUNG

Tokyo summary

Kei Nishikori of Japan lifts his trophy after winning the men’s singles final against Milos Raonic of Canada at the Japan Open Tennis Championships in Tokyo, Japan, 05 October 2014. Nishikori won 7-6(5), 4-6, and 6-4. EPA/KIYOSHI OTA

Nishikori continued an incredible year that has only been getting better the past two months. The Japanese star finished runner-up at the U.S. Open, won last week’s Kuala Lumpur title, and now this triumph has his chances looking extremely favorable for a World Tour Finals berth. Nishikori, who also needed three sets to survive Benjamin Becker in the Tokyo semis, outlasted Raonic in two hours an 12 minutes.

“I think it was one of my toughest games against Milos,” Nishikori reflected. “I am really happy to win. It’s the first time I have won a title two weeks in a row.”

The No. 4 seed took the first set with a perfect passing shot at 6-5 in the tiebreaker. Raonic answered by earning one break in the second frame of play, during which he surrendered only five points in five service games. In the end, however, the big-serving Canadian cracked at 4-5 in the third. Nishikori seized his first break when it mattered most to secure his seventh career ATP title.

Briefs

* Djokovic captures fifth Beijing title, maintains stranglehold on world No. 1.

* Nishikori’s win, Berdych’s loss means Nishikori is sixth and Berdych is seventh.

* Raonic drops final in Japan, will remain at No. 8.

* Klizan will have to wait on top 40, but could reach it even if he loses in Shanghai first round.

* Becker barely misses top 40 with though loss to Nishikori, but well into top 50.

* Red-hot Goffin surges into top 30 with Challenger title in Mons.

* Lorenzi leaps into top 70 by winning Cali Challenger title over Estrella Burgos.

* Querrey likely to remain top 50 regardless of Sacramento Challenger outcome vs. Kozlov.

Topics: Andre Agassi, Atp, Beijing, China Open, Japan Open, Kei Nishikori, Novak Djokovic, Ricky Dimon, Roger Federer, Tennis, Tokyo, Tomas Berdych

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October 5, 2014 at 9:29 am

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October 5, 2014 at 12:21 pm

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