Nishikori comes back to beat Isner for 1st Citi Open title

WASHINGTON (AP) Kei Nishikori came back to beat big-serving John Isner 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 on Sunday for his first Citi Open hard-court title.

The second-seeded Nishikori, the runner-up at the U.S. Open last year, weathered 18 aces from the eighth-seeded Isner, a 6-foot-10 American who fell to 0-3 in finals in Washington.

For the third time in five matches, Japan's Nishikori dropped the opening set before turning things around to win in three.

It is Nishikori's 10th career title and third of 2015, when he is 43-9. Only No. 1 Novak Djokovic and No. 2 Roger Federer have won more tournaments this season, and only Djokovic and No. 3 Andy Murray have won more matches.

Nishikori will move up from No. 5 to No. 4 in Monday's rankings, equaling his career best.