Kyrgios, Duckworth win first up in Tokyo
Nick Kyrgios will play respected Czech veteran Radek Stepanek in the second round in Tokyo while James Duckworth advanced over an injured Feliciano Lopez.
Tokyo, Japan, 4 October 2016 | Reuters/tennis.com.au
Australian Nick Kyrgios has won his opening-round match at the Japan Open, beating American Ryan Harrison in straight sets in Tokyo.
The sixth seed recorded a comfortable 7-5 6-2 victory to set up a clash with Czech Radek Stepanek in the last 16.
The veteran Stepanek earlier on Tuesday beat Frenchman Stephane Robert 6-2 6-1.
Kyrgios’s compatriot James Duckworth also advanced to the second round when opponent Feliciano Lopez retired down 4-2 in the third set.
The eighth-seeded Spaniard held a match point in the 10th game of the second set, which Duckworth – who was serving – saved.
The Australian went on to control the second-set tiebreak and lead in the third before Lopez called it quits, citing illness.
In other first-round action, Juan Monaco – whom Duckworth next faces – defeated Taylor Fritz of the United States 7-6(2) 7-6(5), while another Czech, Jiri Vesely, downed Kevin Anderson of South Africa 3-6 6-0 6-4.
No.5 seed David Goffin of Belgium accounted for local player Yoshihito Nishioka 7-5 6-2.