Canada’s Raonic outlasts Nishikori, advances to Brisbane final

Milos Raonic fired 34 aces to grind out a 6-7 (4), 7-6 (4), 7-6 (4) win over second-seeded Kei Nishikori on Saturday to reach the Brisbane International final.

Roanic will face Roger Federer, who defeated Grigor Dimitrov, on Sunday. 

The third-seeded Raonic appeared to grow in confidence as the match progressed, earning three match points with an ace in the third tiebreaker and then clinching it in 2-1/2 hours with a stunning forehand service return.

"That's always been a key. Last few matches I started poorly. I would get broken right in my first service game, which is not the way to really go about things, especially against a top player and especially against Roger," he said. "So I've got to keep that pressure on him and then sort of step up when I can create my opportunities."

It was his second win in six matches against Nishikori. Neither player dropped serve in the match, meaning Nishikori exited the tournament without being broken in a service game.

Eventually, though, the quick points Raonic was able to pick up on his booming serve which made the difference.

Raonic said he'll be relying again on his serve, hoping to emulate the form that earned a win over Federer in Paris last year.

Maria Sharapova claimed her 34th career title and closed the gap on the No. 1 ranking with a 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-3 win over Ana Ivanovic on Saturday in the Brisbane International final.

The top-seeded Sharapova raced to 4-1 lead and had set points in the 11th game but No. 2-seeded Ivanovic fought back to take the hour-long set in a tiebreaker.

Sharapova earned early service breaks in the next two sets and held for victory, giving her the chance to overhaul Serena Williams for top spot in the rankings depending on results at the Australian Open, starting Jan. 19.

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