Kei Nishikori tops Ivo Karlovic to repeat in Memphis

MEMPHIS, Feb. 16 (UPI) -- Japan's Kei Nishikori successfully defended his U.S. National Indoor Championships title Sunday with a straight-set victory over Ivo Karlovic.

The top-seeded Nishikori dispatched his Croatian opponent by a 6-4, 7-6 (7-0) margin, becoming the first player to win consecutive titles at the Memphis event since Tommy Haas in 2006-07.

Nishikori earned his fourth career ATP Tour crown.

Karlovic came up short in a bid for a sixth career championship and first since Bogota in 2013.