Kei Nishikori is the first Japanese to win the Malaysian Open. The world no.8 has played at his very best to win in straight sets against the Benneteau and grab his 2nd title of the season after Barcelona.
The key moment of the match was when Nishikori managed to break back Julien in the first set when the Frenchman was serving for the set (5-4). From that moment the Japanese gained lots of confidence to win the first set at the breaker and finally the match 7-6 (4) 6-4.
Benneteau was eager to win his first ATP title after losing 9 finals (he was the runner-up in Kuala Lumpur also in the last 2 years). Despite this disappointment, Julien was still happy by his week “It was a very good week and today was my best match of the week. Kei was simply too good in the key moments, especially at the end of the first set. I had some chances, but against these kinds of players, they are small chances and you have to take them. I tried to play my best and I almost did it. I’m disappointed with the loss, but very happy with the level of my game. It’s hard to keep that level of intensity in every point and every game. I need to improve this to be more consistent.”
Next stop for Nishikori is Tokyo where he has won in 2012. He will play Dodig in the first round.
Very happy today to win for the first time the title at the @KLOpenTennis It was a great week! pic.twitter.com/HpDYlXxu8z
— Kei Nishikori (@keinishikori) September 28, 2014
