Third seed Kei Nishikori has started his campaign at the Japan Open with a straightforward 6-4, 6-1, win over compatriot Yuichi Sugita.
Nishikori, who hasn’t won an ATP title on home soil since 2014, proved too strong against a rapidly fading Sugita. After coming through a testing opening set by breaking once, he dominated the second set. Breaking four consecutive times. In total, Nishikori hit 33 winners to 30 unforced errors and produced a total of six aces.
“It’s never easy playing a friend, especially in Japan. I think we both don’t want to play each other, but I think I handled it well,” Nishikori said. “I felt a little pressure in the beginning, but I started feeling better in the second set. Overall, I was happy with my tennis today.”
This week the 28-year-old is seeking his first title on the ATP Tour since the 2016 Memphis Open. Since then, Nishikori has lost in seven consecutive finals, including this year’s Monte Carlo Masters. Awaiting the Japanese No.1 in the second round will be Benoit Paire. The Frenchman defeated Nicolas Jarry 6-4, 7-6(1) in his opening match.
“He’s a very talented player. Great backhand, one of the best backhands on the tour and a good serve,” Nishikori commented about his upcoming rival. “It’s never easy playing Benoit, so it’s going to be a tough one.”
Nishikori wasn’t the only Japanese player to have success on the first day of the tournament. World No.273 Yosuke Watanuki stunned Robin Haase in three sets to win his first ever main draw match on the ATP Tour.
Raonic, Shapovalov progress
Watanuki will next take on Milos Raonic, who is a three-time finalist at the tournament. The Canadian produced 17 aces and dropped only three points behind his first during during his 6-3, 6-4, win over Adrian Mannarino.
“It’s tough. He has an unorthodox way of playing. He sort of mixes up pace, tries to take you out of your rhythm. He has the sidespin serve on the Ad side that pulls you really far where you have to be ready to be pulled outside the court and then work your way back into it. You have to really be disciplined with yourself in making sure you don’t get sucked into that change-of-pace gamestyle that he likes to play because he’s very talented,” Raonic said following the match. “It’s hard to beat him at that. You have to really be the aggressor and try to play on your terms.”
Denis Shapovalov overcame a brutal first round clash against Australian Open semi-finalist Hyeon Chung. Ranked only eight places lower than his South Korean opponent at 31st, Shapovalov required nearly two hours to win the match 6-3, 3-6, 6-2.
“It was just one or two points today. It was really close,” Shapovalov said. “If he breaks me in the third set, he was probably going to run away with the win. But I managed to stay strong, win my service games and I really turned the match, so I was really happy.”
The Canadian will play either Stan Wawrinka or Taylor Fritz next.
Note: players quotes obtained via www.rakutenopen.com
