Kei Nishikori recovered from losing the first three games against teenage sensation Taylor Fritz, to defeat the young American 6-4, 6-4 for his fourth Memphis title in a row.
Fritz started well, holding to love, then broke Nishikori to thirty in the top seed’s first service game, ripping a backhand return down the line. Nishikori could only block the shot wide and the eighteen year old had the first service break. He again held to love before Nishikori finally got on the scoreboard at three-one. The young American then found himself in trouble, as Nishikori earned love-forty and three break back points. he saved two break points, but double-faulted on the third as the World no. 7 fought back to an on serve position.
Despite losing the advantage, Fritz clearly had a similar game-plan that nearly saw compatriot Sam Querrey earn a shock win in the semi-final against Nishikori, ripping into second serves and trying to finish points quickly. Fritz hit an exceptional return winner that was almost Nadal-esque, lunging wide to force a forehand winner up the line. Nishikori would hold once again to thirty. Nishikori then ramped up the pressure, attacking Fritz and earning break points after an excellent return put Fritz on the back foot, putting away a volley. Fritz saved the first two, and then a third from deuce-advantage with an unreturned serve. Nishikori then held to thirty, winning three of his four points when Fritz uncharacteristically failed to return serve.
Fritz then put himself under pressure, twice missing short forehands on game point, before Nishikori engineered a break point with a second serve return winner. Nishikori then hit a forehand into the backhand corner of Fritz, who could only find the tramlines, and the top seed would serve for the set. Nishikori took the set with a love service hold, and the three-time defending champion appeared to be in total control.
Three errors saw Nishikori surge to three break points in the first game of the second set. A running forehand, a big serve from Fritz and a Nishikori forehand unforced error saw Fritz save all three, and then hold when Nishikori missed a backhand return. Fritz earned fifteen thirty in the next game when he hit the line with a forehand, and Nishikori pushed a backhand wide. He earned a pair of break points, with Nishikori saving the first with a angled drive, and the second when Fritz failed to return a serve. He earned a third when he ripped a forehand return with a body shot that Nishikori could only hit into the net. Again Nishikori saved with a serve. Nishikori had the opportunity to serve the game out, but Fritz ripped another backhand winner off a short kick serve. Nishikori finally held in a seven minute game.
Nishikori won an excellent point in the next service game, defending a Fritz volley and smash, before earning break points again. Fritz saved one, and narrowly missed a first serve on the second ball, before Nishikori broke with a forehand winner. Like the match with Querrey yesterday, Nishikori was finding another gear in the second set, starting to dominate, as Fritz became increasingly desperate. Fritz did settle and ensure he at least stayed in touch with a hold to fifteen, to earn three-four in the second set. Nishikori held comfortably to move within a game of a fourth consecutive title.
Nishikori earned two championship points against the Fritz serve at five-three, Fritz saved the first, before Nishikori attempted a between the legs lob after Fritz lobbed him.He missed what would have been a stunning match winning point. Fritz managed to hold the game, ensuring that Nishikori would have to serve for the title.
Nishikori showed his confidence in the last game by utilising the drop-shot, and finished the match with a full forehand smash.
Fritz will move up in the rankings just short of the Top 100, to around no. 103, a ranking normally good enough to earn direct entry into the Grand Slams, though if Fritz earns a win in Delray Beach next week, where he has received a special exemption into the event. Nishikori can celebrate seventeen consecutive wins in Memphis that have rewarded him with four titles.
Nishikori: ” Four years in a row is something new so I’m very happy for that“. On Fritz : “He beat many players this week and looks to have a bright future.”
Fritz: ” I’d like to thank my coach Nico, my family and girlfriend back home, also all the volunteers and ball kids they did a great job“.
