Australian bad boy Nick Kyrgios romps through Tokyo Open first round test against American Ryan Harrison
The sixth seed won 7-5, 6-2 in Tokyo, while second seed Gael Monfils beat Japan’s Yuichi Sugita 6-3, 6-1 to reach the second round
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Controversial Australian Nick Kyrgios stormed into the second round of the Japan Open on Tuesday after overpowering American Ryan Harrison 7-5, 6-2 in Tokyo.
A thumping backhand that nibbled the edge of the line secured the crucial break for Kyrgios at the business end of the first set before the sixth seed powered through the second with the minimum of fuss.
“I definitely served well,” Kyrgios said after setting up a clash with Czech veteran Radek Stepanek.
“I guess it gets me out of a bit of trouble when I’m not feeling so great or I’m not into it that much.”
Watch: Nick Kyrgios at the Japan Open
Second seed Gael Monfils took even less time to advance with the Frenchman pummelling Japan’s Yuichi Sugita 6-3, 6-1.
But Croatian Ivo Karlovic, seeded seventh, struggled to overcome Argentina’s Federico del Bonis 7-6, 6-7, 7-6.
‘Pretty Pathetic’: Nick Kyrgios succumbs to Andy Murray with barely a whimper
Gilles Simon was another French winner after beating Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber 7-5, 4-6, 6-0, while fifth-seeded Belgian David Goffin saw off Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka 7-5, 6-2.
In other matches, Czech Jiri Vesely ousted South Africa’s Kevin Anderson 3-6, 6-0, 6-4 as Argentinean Juan Monaco beat Taylor Fritz of the United States in two tiebreak sets.
Eight seed Feliciano Lopez retired with injury as the Spaniard trailed Australia’s James Duckworth 6-7, 7-6, 4-2, but Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis safely negotiated his first hurdle by beating Spain’s Marcel Granollers 6-1, 3-6, 6-3.
Japan’s Kei Nishikori is favourite to win his third Japan Open title after US Open champion and Tokyo title holder Stan Wawrinka pulled out of the tournament with back trouble.
Nishikori recovered from a nervy start to beat American Donald Young 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 in his opening match on Monday.
