Early morning Becker win sets record for late finish

TOKYO, Oct 6 (Reuters) Benjamin Becker's 3:24 am finish against Jiri Novak at the Japan Open was the latest for a singles match in ATP history, Tour officials said today.

Becker, best known for ushering Andre Agassi into retirement at last month's US Open, burned the midnight oil with a 6-3 3-6 7-6 victory over his Czech opponent to book a spot in the Tokyo quarter-finals.

The German was playing Finland's Jarkko Nieminen in the last eight later today, with the winner advancing to meet top seed Roger Federer.

REUTERS AB RN1417