In-form Nishikori heads strong field in Acapulco

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Japanese star Kei Nishikori heads to the Mexican Open full of confidence after making history in Memphis a week ago.

World number five Nishikori became the first man to win three successive Memphis Open titles by beating South African Kevin Anderson 6-4 6-4 in the final.

The 2014 US Open runner-up is 10-2 this year after reaching the semi-finals at the Brisbane International and the quarters of the Australian Open.

Nishikori's impressive start to the season has resulted in the top seeding for the ATP 500 event in Acapulco but the 25-year-old is still seeking improvement in his game.

"It's [an] amazing feeling because nobody ever done this before at this tournament, so it's something special," Nishikori said after accounting for Anderson.

"But, you know, I think I have to do better to keep this, and hopefully I can keep going."

Defending champion Grigor Dimitrov, who will be supported by girlfriend Maria Sharapova as she contests the WTA event, is the third seed in his bid to retain the Mexican Open crown.

Dimitrov won the 2014 tournament courtesy of a 7-6 (7-1) 3-6 7-6 (7-5) win over Anderson.

But the 23-year-old Bulgarian is yet to win a title in 2015, despite a semi-final showing at the Brisbane International and a fourth-round appearance at Melbourne Park.

Spaniard David Ferrer, meanwhile, arrives in Acapulco looking to add a fourth title to his name.

Ferrer - seeded second - won the Mexican Open three years in a row from 2010-12, though that was when it was held on clay.

Towering Croatian Ivo Karlovic will also feature at the tournament after going deep at the Delray Beach Open.

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