By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Sunday, January 5, 2025
World No. 67 Alexandre Muller beat 35-year-old Kei Nishikori 2-6, 6-1, 6-3 to capture his maiden Tour-level title in Hong Kong.
Photo credit: China Hong Kong Tennis Open Facebook
Alexandre Muller proved plenty of life after near elimination.
A determined Muller rallied past 35-year-old Kei Nishikori 2-6, 6-1, 6-3 to capture his maiden Tour-level title in Hong Kong today.
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The 27-year-old Muller, who fought off two match points edging Miomir Kecmanovic 5-7, 7-6(6), 7-6(10) in round two, is the first French champion in tournament history.
After seizing championship point, Muller dropped to his knees and absorbed this title moment that was years in the making. Gold and silver confetti rained down on the Frenchman as he lifted his first ATP title trophy.
Muller's title run is a lesson in tennis tenacity.
The victory vaults Muller, who lost the opening set in all five tournament wins this week, to a new career-high ranking of No. 56.
It's a historic triumph in more ways than one for Muller, who is just the third just the third man in Open Era to win a title after losing the opening set of every match, following Hall of Famer Arthur Ashe at 1975 WCT Finals and Alexander Bublik in Montpellier last year.
Wild card Nishikori was denied his bid for a 13th career title. Nishikori was playing for his first title since the 2019 Brisbane, but fell to 12-15 in career finals.