Qualifier seals first ATP title

– Japanese qualifier Yoshihito Nishioka broke through for his maiden ATP singles title yesterday, outlasting Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 in a gruelling final at the Shenzhen Open.

The 23-year-old Nishioka, ranked 171 in the world, played seven matches across eight days at the Shenzhen Longgang Sports Centre but still had plenty of energy in a marathon final.

Nishioka sealed the victory on his fifth match point. –

Shenzhen