Nishikori claims second title in Barcelona

Kerber upsets Wozniacki to win second straight Stuttgart crown

Japan’s Kei Nishikori claimed his second consecutive Barcelona Open title on Sunday with a hard-fought 6-4, 6-4 over Spaniard Pablo Andujar.

Andujar had upset Rafael Nadal’s conqueror Fabio Fognini and David Ferrer on his route to the final and made the perfect start by breaking the world number five’s serve in the first game.

However, Nishikori broke straight back and then sealed the set by breaking once more in the 10th game.

The second

set

followed a similar pattern as Andujar moved into a 4-2 lead, but Nishikori then upped his level to race through the final four games to seal his ninth career title.

Tough Spaniards

“Finally yes, I am the champion, but in the beginning (of the week), I was just playing one match at time with so many tough players and all the Spanish players playing here,” said Nishikori. “I tried to do my best and I am very happy.

“The second set was very hard and to be honest I don’t know how I was able to win it.”

Victory continued Nishikori’s love affair with the Spanish clay court season having also reached the final of last year’s Madrid Masters when he took the first set off Nadal before having to retire with an injury.

In Stuttgart, Germany’s Angelique Kerber extended her winning streak to 11 matches with a three-sets win over Caroline Wozniacki to win the Stuttgart claycourt title.

Having knocked out threetime champion Maria Sharapova in the second round, Kerber recovered from losing the final’s first set to earn a 3-6, 6-1, 7-5 victory over former world number one Wozniacki.

“I fought hard until the end and drained all my reserves of energy,” beamed Bremen-born Kerber. “I am mega-proud to have won here in front of a home crowd.”

Since winning the Charleston tournament a fortnight ago, Kerber carried her impressive recent form onto Stuttgart’s clay courts.

Finally yes, I am the champion, but in the beginning (of the week), I was just playing one match at time with so many tough players and all the Spanish players playing here.”

Kei Nishikori

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World No. 5