Top-seeded Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina beat Canadian Milos Raonic 7-6 (7-5) 7-5 on Sunday to win the Japan Open tennis title.

Del Potro managed to get the only break of the match to go up 6-5 in the second set and then held serve to claim his third title of the year, adding to wins in Rotterdam and Washington.

The third-seeded Raonic, who was coming off a win at the Thailand Open last week, hit 17 aces but came up short in his second straight appearance in the Japan Open final. He lost to local favourite Kei Nishikori last year.

Del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion, was a late addition to the tournament after Andy Murray withdrew due to a back injury.