The Baseline Player of the Week: Kei Nishikori

Kei Nishikori ended his lengthy title drought by defeating Daniil Medvedev for the Brisbane title. Ousting the Russian was no easy task, as he had beaten both Andy Murray and Milos Raonic on his way to the final.

Nishikori overcame the 22-year-old in three sets, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 for his 12th career title.

The Japanese world No. 9 was on a nine-final losing streak until Sunday. His last title win came in Memphis in 2016, but he has also dealt with a serious wrist injury in the time between trophies.

Nishikori is looking to carry this momentum into the Australian Open where he has never been further than the quarterfinals.

ATP/WTA Sydney (1/5 to 1/12)

• Stefanos Tsitsipas, Frances Tiafoe, Simona Halep and Sloane Stephens headline Sydney International. Watch live coverage on Tennis Channel Plus.

WTA Hobart (1/5 to 1/11)

• Watch the action from the Hobart International featuring Caroline Garcia, Belinda Bencic and Maria Sakkari.

ATP Auckland (1/6 to 1/11)

• See John Isner, Fabio Fognini and Denis Shapovalov live on Tennis Channel PLUS beginning Monday, Jan. 7 at 6:00 pm ET.

FAST 4—Sydney (1/7)

• The game’s best compete in the always entertaining Fast4 format, with appearances by Nick Kyrgios, Grigor Dimitrov, and Milos Raonic. Live coverage begins on Monday, Jan. 7 at 3:30pm ET.

World Tennis Challenge—Adelaide (1/7 to 1/9)

• Watch Borna Coric, CoCo Vandeweghe, Alexander Zverev and Victoria Azarenka live from Adelaide starting Monday, Jan. 7 at 3:00 am ET.

AO Qualifying Rounds (1/8 to 1/11)

• Australian Open officially begins with qualifying action. Tennis Channel PLUS has fall the action live! Coverage begins Tuesday, Jan. 8 at 6:00 pm ET.