After he got his revenge for his 2014 US Open final loss to Croat Marin Cilic on Saturday, Japan’s Kei Nishikori had another encounter for the title match with USA’s John Isner on Sunday. Against the big-serving American, Nishikori had to remain focused on return of serves. Nishikori lost the first set but came back with more resolve to take the next two and win his 10th ATP tournament. In the doubles final, Bob and Mike Bryan defeated Ivan Dodig of Croatia and Marcelo Melo of Brazil to win their 108th ATP World Tour team title with the curtain coming down on 2015 Citi Open in Washington DC.
In the first set of men’s singles final, Nishikori held two break opportunities but he squandered both by committing unforced errors. In contrast, Isner had only one break chance and he made the most of it by producing two cleanest forehand down-the-line winners against the Japanese service in the 10th game. That one break was enough for Isner to take the first set 6-4. In the second set, Nishikori broke Isner in the opening game; and holding his own service; shot to a 2-0 lead. After that Nishikori only needed to hold his serve to clinch the second set. In the third, the Japanese appeared more determined and broke Isner in the third game and continued with the advantage by holding his serve. Isner had slowed down because of minor medical issue, for which he needed treatment during the second set. Meanwhile Nishikori did not let his foot off the gas pedal and crossed the finish line with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 win. World no.5 Nishikori, who played his15th ATP World Tour final against Isner on Sunday, captured his 10th title. When the Emirates ATP rankings are updated on Monday, Nishikori will jump to the no.4 spot. It must have been a disappointing final for Isner, who was eyeing his 11th tour-level title and second after last week’s victory at the BB&T Atlanta Open.
In the doubles final, top seeds Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan scored a surprisingly easy victory against second seeds and reigning Roland Garros champions Croatian Ivan Dodig and Brazilian Marcelo Melo. In a way, it was a sweet revenge for the celebrated American twins, who had lost to Dodig/Melo in the final of the French Open. For the 37-year-old Californian twins, the victory meant that they have won their 108th ATP World Tour team title. In an uneventful final, the Bryans did not face a single break point. On the other hand, they had five break opportunities, of which they converted three. That was enough for them to win the final 6-4, 6-2 in just 55minutes.
With three very big hard court tournaments coming up in the American summer, Bryans regard their victory as valuable and morale boosting. The Washington victory was the fifth this season for the Bryans out of six finals they entered. The other four were; Delray Beach, Miami, Monte-Carlo and Atlanta. Also the Washington victory was their fourth after 2005, 2006 and 2007.