Nishioka works overtime to win third ATP title in Atlanta

Yoshihito Nishioka came back from a set deficit – and a five-hour rain delay – to defeat Jordan Thompson 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-2 in the Atlanta Open final on Sunday.

Thompson was suspended three games from victory, leading by a set and trailing 4-5 on serve in the second set. It’s safe to say the interruption didn’t do the Australian any favors as he sought his second ATP title. Nishikori came back from the break in fine form, dominating the second-set tiebreak and not looking back in the third set. The Japanese left-hander broke for 1-0 in the deciding set, saved four break points in his next two service games and earned another break for 4-1.

From there it was all over and Nishioka finally crossed the finish line at 00:37.

“It’s an incredible feeling,” Nishioka said. “Today’s battle, it was huge to come back. I think the rain was really bad for (Jordan). I just had a little bit of luck with the rain. In the end, I played amazing. (It’s my) third title, which I couldn’t believe at the beginning of the year.”

The 28-year-old has already triumphed in Shenzhen (2018) and Seoul (2022). He now has a 3-3 record in ATP Finals. Thompson’s only trophy came at the start of the season in Los Cabos; the 30-year-old has a 1-3 record in ATP Finals.