Kei Nishikori Wins Malaysian Open, Boosts ATP World Tour Finals Chances

World no. 8 Kei Nishikori claimed the title on Sunday against Julien Benneteau 7-6(4), 6-4 at the Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur. Nishikori won 72 percent of his service points in the final round and wrapped up his victory in 1 hour and 47 minutes.

"I was waiting for my opportunity," Nishikori said. "I had so many break points and I couldn't take them. In the last game, he got a little bit tight and I took my chance."

Nishikori earned a net 170 points from his recent victory at the ATP World Tour 250 indoor hard-court tournament, which extended his lead over the seventh-placed David Ferrer at the ATP World Tour Finals in London this coming November. After reaching his first Grand Slam final match at the US Open against Marin Cilic where he made history, Nishikori surged into contention to qualify for the ATP World Tour Finals. If he qualifies, the Japanese tennis star will be the first Asian man to compete at the season finale. Thus far, the 24-year-old Nishikori has a 44-10 mark on the season with titles in Barcelona, Memphis and runner up at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 in Madrid, where he lost to the world no. 2, Rafael Nadal.

Although it was all good for Nishikori, it is not as fortunate for Benneteau, who had been looking to win his first ATP World Tour Final after being defeated in his nine previous finals. The Frenchman lost in the Kuala Lumpur finals for the third time in a row.

Meanwhile, world no. 11 Andy Murray, who is also aiming for a top 8 finish to qualify for the ATP World Tour Final in London, won the Shenzhen Open for his first title victory in 14 months. Murray won against Tommy Robredo 5-7, 7-6, 6-1, his first triumph since Wimbledon in July 2013.

"Today was obviously an incredibly tough match, the conditions are so hard to play in. I got lucky at the end of the second set. I fought hard, tried my best and thankfully managed to turn it round," an emotional Murray said, as quoted by The Guardian.