Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka beat Australian Jordan Thompson to capture his first Atlanta Open title Sunday evening. Nishioka won 4-6, 7-6, 6-3. Nishioka becomes the first Asian and non-American or non-Australian player to win the tournament.
“It’s a wonderful thing for making history for the tennis players coming from Asia,” Nishioka said after the match. “Everyone has to follow someone. If I can be [that guy] that younger generations coming up look up to, whether it’s from Japan or [wherever in Asia]. I think it is very big.”
Nishioka mentioned J.C. Cheng during his remarks. Even though Cheng lost to Thompson in the semifinals Saturday, Nishioka says Cheng is on his way toward greatness.
Thompson won the first set 6-4. Weather played a huge factor in the second set. Thompson trailed 4-5 in the second set. After a 45 minute rain delay, the players returned to the court and played three points. Then the rain came down once again which led to a five hour delay.
“In the second set before the rain came out, I always say my break points are my great points,” Nishioka said when asked about the difference in the second set before and after the rain delay. “After I won the tiebreaker, I think a little bit of his mentality went down because he almost had it, [along] with waiting four to five hours [because of the rain].
Once play resumed, both players were tied at six and went into a shootout. Nishioka found his stride and momentum jumping to a 5-0 lead. He won the second set 7-2 tying things up at one.
Nishioka rode the momentum from that second set into the third set winning 6-3.
With Sunday’s win, Nishioka captured his 3rd career ATP title. His overall record to 3-3 in finals. He also moves into the ATP Tour’s Top 50 players for the first time since January.