History repeats itself as Nishioka shocks Shapovalov in Seoul to win title
Yoshihito Nishioka lifted the trophy on Sunday against Denis Shapovalov
Yoshihito Nishioka with his Seoul trophy (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man/SIPA)
Japanese Yoshihito Nishioka beat Canadian Denis Shapovalov, the No 4 seed, 6-4, 7-6 (5) to lift the Korea Open trophy at the Seoul Olympic Park on Sunday.
Nishioka will now rise to a new career-high ranking of world No 41 with his second-ever career title, and first since 2018.
That win, in Shenzhen, also came with a win in the round of 16 over Shapovalov, when Nishioka came through qualifying ranked world No 171; he saved two match points in that match.
It was much more straightforward for Nishioka in Korea.
Ahead of his victory, Nishioka, ranked No 56, defeated No 5 seed Daniel Evans (6-2, 7-6 (3)), Taro Daniel (6-2, 6-4), Norwegian Casper Ruud, the top seed (6-2, 3-6, 6-2) and American lucky loser Aleksandar Kovacevic (6-3, 4-6, 6-3).
Shapovalov, ranked No 24, beat Spaniard Jaume Munar (7-5, 6-4), Radu Albot (6-2, 6-2) and American Jenson Brooksby, the No 8 seed (7-5, 6-4) earlier in the tournament.
