Seventh seed Grigor Dimitrov has won his first title in two and a half years with a confidence-boosting triumph over Kei Nishikori in the men’s singles final of the Brisbane International.
The 25-year-old Bulgarian won his first match in four meetings with the Japanese third seed 6-2 2-6 6-3 on Hancock Prospecting Day.
The former world No.8 had fallen as low as No.40 in the world as recently as last July before surging back to No.17 by season’s end.
“It’s been pretty emotional the last year or so,” Dimitrov said. “This trophy means a lot. These 10 days I’ve had here have been the most fun I’ve had on a tennis court.”
He finished with 24 winners to Nishikori’s 21 and won 13 of 16 points at net.
It marks his fifth career title and first since winning at Queen’s Club in 2014.
