Ferrer beats Nishikori for fourth Mexico title

ACAPULCO, Mexico: David Ferrer won a record-equalling fourth Mexican Open title with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Kei Nishikori in the Acapulco hardcourt final.
The Spanish world No. 9’s triumph put him level with Austrian Thomas Muster with four Mexican titles having also won the tournament three times from 2010-2012 on clay.
It was Ferrer’s third title this year after Doha and last week’s win in Rio de Janeiro and 24th of his career, ending a run of five defeats to the Japanese top seed.
Nishikori now leads Ferrer 7-4 in their meetings.
“I played very aggressive, without mistakes. I’m very happy. To win here a fourth time is a dream,” Ferrer was quoted as saying on the ATP website.
“In important moments, he made more mistakes and I took my chances. I feel very confident with my tennis now. I’ve won three tournaments this year and we’ve only began the season.”
Ferrer was dominant almost throughout the match with Nishokori, set to rise to world number four after reaching the final, on the back foot and 3-0 down in the second set after twice being broken by the Spaniard.
However, the 2014 US Open finalist fought back to 4-4 then 5-5 as the players exchanged further breaks before Ferrer clinched it in one hour and 49 minutes.
Swiss Timea Bacsinszky won the women’s crown beating Caroline Garcia of France 6-3, 6-0 in the final.

Nadal advances to Buenos Aires final
Reigning French Open champion Rafael Nadal reached his first final of the year by rolling over Carlos Berlocq 7-6 (9/7), 6-2 Saturday at the ATP Argentina Open.
The 28-year-old Spanish left-hander next faces Argentina’s Juan Monaco in Sunday’s final. where Nadal will be trying to equal Guillermo Vilas’ all-time record of 46 titles on clay.
Nadal rallied in the opening-set tie-breaker from a 6-1 deficit to win, then clinched the match when Berlocq hammered a forehand long on the first match point.
Earlier in the day, Monaco beat Spain’s Nicolas Almagro 6-3, 6-7 (6/8), 6-4 to book his spot in the final.
Monaco reached his 20th career ATP final and is competing in his third final on home soil.
Nadal is playing in this event for the first time in 10 years, when he reached the quarter finals. He is 5-1 lifetime against Monaco.
The Mallorcan native is trying capture his first title since claiming a ninth French Open crown in June.
Nadal breezed into semifinals by defeating Facundo Arguello 6-4, 6-0 and Federico Delbonis 6-1, 6-1. He received a bye in the first round.
The Nadal-Monaco matchup means the Argentina Open will be won by an Argentine or Spaniard for the 13th consecutive year. Since 2003, the champion has come from one of the two countries, including the past six by Spain.