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The Baseline Player of the Week: Yoshihito Nishioka

Published Oct 01, 2018

Qualifer Yoshihito Nishioka wins Shenzhen title beating Pierre-Hugues Herbert 7-5 2-6 6-4 pic.twitter.com/H71GmoL6xg
— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) September 30, 2018

Everyone loves a good comeback story, and Yoshihito Nishioka provided a great one. The 23-year-old returned to the tour in January after tearing his ACL in 2017. On Sunday, he earned his first ATP title at the Shenzhen Open.

The four-time ATP Challenger champion defeated surprise finalist Pierre-Hugues Herbert, 7-5, 2-6, 6-4.

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From ACL surgery in 2017 to this-- a difficult ride and a great moment for Yoshihito Nishioka at @shenzhenopen pic.twitter.com/x7ZDghLEqf
— TennisNow (@Tennis_Now) September 30, 2018

Nishioka will break back into the Top 100 on Monday; his career-high ranking was No. 50 back in March of last year. Herbert pummeled Nishioka with 12 aces, but the Japanese player took advantage of the Frenchman's low first-serve percentage. While Herbert put up a good fight, saving four match points, he was ultimately unable to overcome Nishioka in a battled that lasted 2 hours and 20 minutes.

‘Please remember my name. It’s not Nishikori, it’s Nishioka.’ pic.twitter.com/2M6meD8poz
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) September 30, 2018

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Nishioka is in Tokyo next where he will face Nick Kyrgios in the first round.

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