© Mike Baz
Teen qualifier Kei Nishikori became the first Japanese ATP title winner in almost 16 years when he stunned top seed James Blake in the final of the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships. Playing just his sixth ATP tournament, Nishikori rallied from a set down to win 3-6, 6-1, 6-4.

At 18 years, 1 month, 19 days old, Nishikori is the youngest player to win an ATP title since Lleyton Hewitt (16 years, 10 months, 18 days) in Adelaide on January 11, 1998. Additionally, he is the first Japanese ATP singles titlist since Shuzo Matsuoka won Seoul in April 1992.

Playing his first ATP event of the year, Nishikori saved four match points against American Sam Querrey in the semifinals. He showed similar composure in the final. He saved three break points in the second game of the third set, then broke Blake in the next game and held to love for a 3-1 lead. At 5-4 he served out the match to love.

"Last night I tried to imagine winning the final, but I couldn't do it," Nishikori said. "I was so nervous in the first set. During the second set I started to feel more confident.

"This is the best tournament in my life. I am so happy right now. I played eight matches in nine days but I didn't feel tired."

Nishikori has received a special exemption into the main draw of next week's SAP Open in San Jose.

The fearless Nishikori stunned Blake with his court speed and ability to hit winners from both wings. Blake lost just five points on his first serve but won just 44 percent of points on his second serve.

In his rookie season last year, Nishikori returned a 3-5 record in five ATP-level tournaments. Before this week, Nishikori had played just one main draw event this year, reaching the semifinals of the Miami Challenger last month. Four weeks ago he lost in the qualifying rounds of the Dallas Challenger.

By winning the title Nishikori will rise from No. 244 to No. 131 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings, to be released Monday.

The only other qualifier to ever win the tournament was Andrew Ilie in 1998, when the event was played on clay in Coral Springs. The last qualifier to reach an ATP singles final and win was Steve Darcis on July 22, 2007 at Amersfoort. (He beat Werner Eschauer for the title).

Blake, playing his first tournament since a quarterfinal showing at the Australian Open, was chasing his 11th ATP title. The American lost to Xavier Malisse in last year's Delray Beach final.

"He played really well and didn't show any kind of nerves," Blake said of Nishikori. "I didn't feel like I returned as well as I had in past matches. [Only getting] one break in a three-set match says a lot on my part. I felt he'd be carefree and play like he had nothing to lose. After you save four match points in the semis you are playing with house money. He hit cold winners at times you wouldn't expect them."

"It's disappointing to get this far in and lose, but I played well during the tournament."

Blake had not lost to a player ranked as low as Nishikori since suffering a first-round defeat against No. 262 Teimuraz Gabashvili at Delray Beach in 2005.

ATP Tournament Profile | Delray Beach TV Schedule

Saturday: Nishikori Saves Four Match Points
Friday: Japanese Teenager Reaches Semifinals
Thursday: Six Americans Advance to Quarterfinals
Wednesday: Blake, Querrey, Spadea Advance in Straight Sets
Tuesday: Fish, Mirnyi Secure Wins on Rainy Day in Delray
Monday: Haas, Malisse Upset in First Round