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TENNIS

Dolgopolov stuns Nishikori in Buenos Aires

Top seed Kei Nishikori suffered defeat in his second final of 2017 as Alexandr Dolgopolov claimed the Argentina Open title.

Alexandr Dolgopolov
ALEJANDRO PAGNIAFP

Second final

Alexandr Dolgopolov wrapped up his stunning week in Buenos Aires with a straight-sets victory over Kei Nishikori in Sunday's Argentina Open final. The Ukrainian did not drop a set during the entire week in the Argentine capital as he provided a shock in the final, the world number 66 winning 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 to claim his third career title.

A tight opening set saw both players waste chances to break and in the inevitable tie-break it was Dolgopolov who finally found a way through – twice in fact as he went on to convert his second set point. Nishikori found his service rhythm in the second, but it was still not enough as he was unable to find a way past his rival, Dologpolov only dropping 11 points on his serve.

Dolgopolov and Kei Nishikori pose at the Lawn Tennis Club in Buenos Aires
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Dolgopolov and Kei Nishikori pose at the Lawn Tennis Club in Buenos AiresALEJANDRO PAGNIAFP

Long-awaited victory

The final's crucial moment came in the seventh game as Dolgopolov fashioned two break chances and, having wasted the first,  he made no mistake with the second to move 4-3 ahead. The 28-year-old then held his nerve as he went on to serve out for the championship, his first since 2012 in Washington.