Nishioka downs Thompson to claim Atlanta Open title

Yoshihito Nishioka, aged 28, secured his third ATP title in the early hours of Monday by defeating Australia's Jordan Thompson, aged 30, in the final of the Atlanta Open.

The Japanese player emerged victorious with a score of 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-2 after a rain delay that lasted nearly six hours. Nishioka expressed his joy at the win, stating, "This has been a fantastic week for me. I consider myself fortunate after the rain.

" With this triumph, Nishioka, ranked 86th globally, extended his unbeaten record against Thompson to 5-0, all on hardcourts. This victory adds to his previous titles, which include the 2018 Shenzhen Open and the 2022 Korea Open in Seoul.

Reflecting on his success, Nishioka remarked, "It's an incredible feeling. Winning a third title was beyond my expectations at the start of the year." Thompson, who was vying for his second title of the year following his win in Los Cabos in February, expressed his disappointment at the outcome.

"It's not the result we were hoping for," he commented. "Nevertheless, reaching the final is not a bad achievement." This win also marks Nishioka as the final champion of the Atlanta Open, as the tournament will conclude after this year.

The match witnessed Thompson taking a 5-4 lead in the first set by breaking Nishioka's serve, which he then held to clinch the set. In the second set, with Nishioka leading 5-4 and Thompson serving at 30-15, the rain delay occurred, lasting almost six hours.

Following the delay, both players held their serves until a tie-breaker, which Nishioka dominated, leading to a third set. The final set commenced just after midnight, with Nishioka breaking Thompson's serve to take a 1-0 lead as Thompson hit a wide forehand.

Nishioka saved a break point in the second game and three more in the fourth, taking advantage of Thompson's mistakes. He then broke again to establish a 4-1 lead and held his serve twice more to secure the victory after two hours and 40 minutes, with Thompson hitting a long backhand to end the match.