World number nine Kei Nishikori defeated Daniil Medvedev of Russia in the summit clash to clinch the 2019 Brisbane International title here at the Queensland Tennis Centre on Sunday.
The 29-year-old thrashed his Russian opponent 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 to get hold of his 12th tour-level trophy. Nishikori is also the first Japanese player ever to win the Brisbane International trophy.
The opening set saw Medvedev gaining the initial lead of three points to put the Japanese in a tight position. Nishikori, however, made a solid comeback with his smashing forehand shots. The Russian player started losing ground as Nishikori clinch the set 6-4.
Medvedev saved eight break points in the second set as he rushed Nishikori into forced errors. The Russian managed to level the match with the help of his firing backhand strokes.
The deciding set saw Medvedev committing multiple errors which helped Nishikori gain a 3-1 lead. The Japanese then earned a double-break advantage for the match at 5-1 to clinch the title with a cross-court backhand passing shot.
In women's singles, Czech tennis star Karolina Pliskova battled past Lesia Tsurenko of Ukraine 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 in the final clash to clinch her second Brisbane International title.
After losing the first set, Pliskova was on the verge of defeat as her opponent was just two points away from claiming a straight-set victory. The former world number one, however, made a strong comeback and won 13 straight points to keep her winning hopes alive in the match.
The Czech Republic player continued with her aggressive run as she dropped just two points her behind her first serve in the deciding set to win the final match.
With the victory, Pliskova has replaced Petra Kvitova to be the top-ranked tennis player from her country.
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