No. 66-ranked Dolgopolov Stuns Top-seeded Nishikori for ATP Buenos Aires Title

It had been five years since Alexandr Dolgopolov raised an ATP title, and the Ukrainian has been mired in a slump that stretched from the end of 2016 into 2017, but that changed dramatically this week on the red clay in Buenos Aires.
ADHEREL
Dolgopolov and his slappy groundstokes hit their way to a third career title and first since 2012 on Sunday, upsetting top-seeded Kei Nishikori 7-6(5), 6-4 for the Argentina Open title.

Dolgopolov was 1-10 in his last 11 matches entering Buenos Aires.

“I think you can call it a perfect week,” Dolgopolov said. “I didn’t lose a set and beat Kei for the first time.”

He was 0-5 career versus Nishikori entering the final.

Dolgopolov didn’t drop a set all week, en route to the final toppling No. 2 seed Pablo Cuevas and No. 4 seed Pablo Carreno Busta. In the final he edged the first-set breaker, then in the second broke at 3-3 and held the advantage the rest of the way.

Nishikori fell to 11-11 in career finals and 0-2 in 2017 after losing in the Brisbane championship match. He is now 2-4 in career claycourt finals.

“I’m glad to be here in the final,” Nishikori said. “Unfortunately I lost today, but Alex played better than me. I didn’t play badly, so hopefully I can keep up this level.”

The 28-year-old Dolgopolov improved to 3-4 in career finals, adding to titles at 2012 Washington and 2011 Umag.

You Might Like:
Top 10ers Thiem, Carreno Busta at ATP Argentina Open in Buenos Aires; Preview
Nishikori, Thiem, Clay Floaters Make ATP Rio a Tough Slough; Preview
Wildcard Londero Stuns Cordoba Field For First Title
Rafael Nadal: I Would Love To Have One More Grand Slam Title Than Pete Sampras [Video]
Rafael Nadal Will Not Play Buenos Aires, He Has A Bad Stomach [Video]