Kei Nishikori overcame Jaume Munar 6-2 5-7 7-6 (7-5) in 2 hours and 57 minutes to reach the second round at Indian Wells despite physical problems.
Nishikori called for the physio due to a leg injury during the third set. The Japanese player saved 10 of the 14 break points he faced.
Nishikori broke twice in the first and third games to win the first set 6-2.
Munar earned his first break in the second game of the second set to take a 2-0 lead. Nishikori won four of the next five games including two breaks to take a 4-3 lead, but Nishikori broke back to draw level to 4-4. Munar broke again on his second set point to win the second set 7-5.
Nishikori broke in the seventh game of the third set to take a 4-3 lead. Munar broke straight back to draw level to 4-4. After a trade of mini-breaks in the tie-break Nishikori won four consecutive points to take a 5-1 lead. Munar pulled one of the two mini-breaks back for 2-5, but Nishikori sealed the win with his fourth mini-break.
“It was not easy. I almost gave up because I was struggling with my body. In the third set I was cramping pretty badly, but somehow I came back and won, so a very good match.”, said Nishikori.
Colton Smith came back from one set down to beta Flavio Cobolli 3-6 6-2 6-2.
Thiago Seyboth Wild saved two match points to beat Alexander Muller 4-6 7-5 7-6 (8-6).
