Intro:

Kei Nishikori beat Pablo Andujar Alba in straight sets to retain his ATP Barcelona Open title on Sunday (26th April).

Script:

Kei Nishikori successfully defended his title at the Barcelona Open by beating Spaniard Pablo Andujar 6-4, 6-4 in Sunday's final.

Andujar started off the leader in both sets, breaking Nishikori's serves and forcing the Japanese to run full lengths across the court to chase his shots.

But Nishikori quickly regained his composure, and broke to love to level the score.

But Andujar ceded his service game with his shot going long. And thus the fifth-seeded Nishikori claimed the first set 6-4.

The Spaniard start off strong in the second set as well, breaking immediately with a ferocious backhand and holding to take control of the set.

However, Nishikori broke back to level the score at 4-4, after Andujar's half-volley hit the net.

And after an hour and a half of play, it was a double fault in Andujar's final service game that earned Nishikori a match point. His resulting backhand down the line gifted him a clean 6-4, 6-4 victory.

SOUNDBITE: (English) Kei Nishikori, ATP Barcelona Open champion

"Yes, it is an amazing feeling especially playing well. I was down in the second set 2-0 and 4-3, his serve, so great comeback and the last couple of games I played really well."

This is Nishikori's second title of the season and his ninth career title overall.