A year ago Kei Nishikori was just coming off a wrist injury, and readying for the challenger tour after Australia.

Now, the former US Open finalist is already back playing top tier tennis. The 29-year-old today collected his first title since 2016 Memphis, beating Russian Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 to win Brisbane.

“To win the tournament is very emotional. That’s why I’m playing,” said Nishikori. “I was trying in every final …

Karolina Pliskova took home her second Brisbane title Saturday in Australia, beating Lesia Tsurenka 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 in the championship match.

The Ukranian Tsurenko led 6-4, 5-3 before the Czech stormed back winning 10 of the last 12 games.

“I think this was a very important match. I had similar one in the first round which I was losing set and break, and of course, when you’re able to turn these matches …

Julia Goerges successfully defended her Auckland title beating surprise finalist Bianca Andreescu 2-6, 7-5, 6-1.

The 18-year-old Andreescu had previously stunned Venus Williams and then Caroline Wozniacki to reach her first WTA final, but couldn’t break at 5-4 in the second, and the German won nine of the last 10 games to win her seventh career title.

“It feels very good. A nice relief, I must say,” Goerges said. “I didn’t really …

After a breakout 2018, Arnya Sabaleka appears to pick up right where she left off – on the way up. Earlier in China, Sabalenka came from a set down to deny Alison Riske 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-3 to collect the Shenzhen title.

“It was a tough day for us, especially to come back after the first set. She played unbelievable, an incredible match,” Sabalenka said after winning her third title. “She was …

Roberto Bautista Agut capped one of his best weeks of tennis Saturday beating Tomas Berdych 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 to capture his first career title in Doha.

Bautista Agut upended Stan Wawrinka, Novak Djokovic and today Berdych en route to his 9th trophy.

“It’s always a very tough draw, very tough tournament with a lot of good players in the draw. And when I started the week, I was feeling good with the …

History was made Saturday in Pune, India, where we saw the tallest final in the Open Era. And not surprisingly, it was won in three tiebreakers as Kevin Anderson downed Ivo Karlovic 7-6(4), 6-7(2), 7-6(5).

“It was really close. It could have gone either way,” said Anderson. “Obviously I am very pleased to have gone one step further than last year… This atmosphere tonight was something I will definitely remember for …

Roberto Bautista Agut registered the first big shocker of 2019, stunning world No. 1 Novak Djokovic 3-6, 7-6(6), 6-4 today in the semifinals of Doha.

Djokovic had been teetering in his last two matches, dropping the first set to both Marton Fucsovics and Nikolaz Basilishvili before gaining form. But today, Djokovic was rolling, up a set and a break before it fell apart for the 2-time tournament champion.

“I want to congratulate …

Novak Djokovic had to work again in Doha. Following a tough 3-set win over Marton Fucsovics yesterday, the World No. 1 once again dropped the opening set and before coming back the big-hitting Nikolaz Basilashvili for a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory.

“I thought Basilashvili was playing terrific from the beginning. I expected him to,” said Djokovic. “I knew that he’s playing probably the tennis of his life in the past 10 …

In the big match of the day in Brisbane, Kei Nishikori knocked out Grigor Dimitrov 7-5, 7-5 to advance to the semifinals.

Nishikori and Dimitrov hooked up in the 2017 Brisbane final, but this time the Japanese turned the tables and overcame a 4-1 second set deficit.

“I was expecting a very tough match; I thought we both played great tennis and I’m very happy with the way I played …

Novak Djokovic upped his mark to 37-3 in last 40, but he had to do it the hard way today in Doha.

The 2-time champions dropped the first set to Hungarian Marton Fucsovics before getting on top of the Hungarian for a 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 win.

“He was a better player for two sets and, no doubt, I managed to break his resistance towards the end of the second set,” said Djokovic …

Top draws Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray both exited the Brisbane tour event on Wednesday. Nadal withdrew due to a left thigh injury while Murray fell in a second round match to No. 4 seed Daniil Medvedev 7-5, 6-2.

“I think he served extremely well, didn’t really get many chances on his service games,” said Murray who lost six straight games to go down 4-0 in the second. “And then …

Rafael Nadal’s plans for 2019 took another blow earlier today as the former No. 1 had to withdraw from Brisbane due to a left thigh injury.

“After a long period of time without competing, I felt a little bit the leg,” said Nadal. “I did an MRI, and it shows a very small strain on the left thigh, but it’s there.

“I tried to play and I still wanted to play.

“It’s a …

Elina Svitolina knows what she wants, and she wants to be the best. The Ukrainian is the defending champion in Brisbane where she met the media earlier this week and declared she wants to win a Slam and get to No. 1.

“My goals are always to win a Grand Slam, to become No. 1,” Svitolina said. “They are lifetime goals, and I try to stay really focused each tournament to …

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga opened his 2019 campaign on a high note beating Australian hope Thanasi Kokkinakis 76(6), 64 in the Brisbane first round.

Following a dismal 2018 which saw the Frenchman miss seven months after an April surgery on his left knee, Tsonga is thrilled to be back and finally healthy.

“I’m really excited to play this new season, and try to forget the last one,” Tsonga said Monday. “I’m feeling okay. It’s …

Despite the next generation of players making progress, 2018 saw the Big 3 sweep the four Grand Slams, and Dominic Thiem doesn’t really see an end to that trend.

“We said this for a couple of years now that this is the year it is going to change,” Thiem said in Doha. “So, I’m not sure if one of the younger guys win a Slam because obviously Novak, Rafa, Roger, they …