TOKYO (AP) — Top-seeded Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina beat Milos Raonic of Canada, 7-6 (5), 7-5 on Sunday to win the Japan Open.
Del Potro got the only break of the match to go up 6-5 in the second set and then held serve to claim his third title of the year, adding to wins in Rotterdam and Washington.
The third-seeded Raonic, who was coming off a win at the Thailand Open last week, hit 17 aces but came up short in his second straight appearance in the Japan Open final. He lost to local favorite Kei Nishikori last year.
Del Potro, the 2009 U.S. Open champion, was a late addition to the tournament after Andy Murray withdrew due to a back injury.