World No. 5 Kei Nishikori failed to capture his season-opening tournament, losing 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 to Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov in Sunday's Brisbane International final.
Nishikori failed to capitalize on a second-set comeback, allowing Dimitrov, the seventh seed and world No. 17, back in the match. The win was the 25-year-old Bulgarian's first over Nishikori in their four career matches.
"He played superb tennis," Nishikori said of the new champ, who refused to be driven behind the baseline and open up the court.