Kei Nishikori thrilled his home fans as the US Open finalist posted a 6-3, 6-4 opening victory over Ivan Dodig yesterday to reach the second round of the Japan Open in Tokyo.
The fourth-seeded Nishikori could do no wrong at the Ariake Colosseum, where the roof was closed due to intermittent rain after two days of sunshine.
Nishikori, last week’s champion in Kuala Lumpur, defeated Croatia’s Dodig for the second time this season after a win in Madrid and next faces the US’ Donald Young, who he beat in both of their previous ATP matches.
“Winning Kuala Lumpur gave me more confidence. I try not to pay attention to the crowd or what the opponent is doing, but it’s always good to play at home. I can feel the support here,” he said.
Japan’s top player is working to become the first Asian man to qualify for the eight-strong field at London’s World Tour finals next month. Nishikori currently stands in provisional sixth with five spots to be filled over the next month of regular-season ATP play.
Yesterday’s victory took his record to 45 wins and 10 defeats this year.
Nishikori spent just less than 90 minutes earning his victory against an increasingly frustrated Dodig, who became annoyed with the ballboys and the Hawkeye computerized line calling system.
Nishikori was out-aced 6-2 by the 61st-ranked Croatian, who saved two match points in the penultimate game.
Nishikori took the opening set in 38 minutes thanks to a break for 5-3 as he took the early lead. The Japanese went down a break, 1-3 in the second, but leveled again in the fifth game.
Nishikori then tacked on an insurance break for 4-3 and closed out victory three games later on his third match point.
In yesterday’s other action, France’s Gilles Simon came from a set and a break down to overhaul Luxembourg’s Gilles Muller 4-6, 7-6 (7/1), 6-3. He next faces’ the US’ Steve Johnson, who defeated Spain’s Marcel Granollers 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 with a 10-ace performance for the winner which took just less than two hours.
Johnson was joined by compatriot Jack Sock as the Wimbledon doubles champion beat Kazakhstani Andrey Golubev 6-3, 1-6, 7-5.
Also advancing was Germany’s Benjamin Becker, who disappointed the home fans by rolling over Tatsuma Ito 6-3, 6-3.
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