Kei Nishikori survives James Duckworth scare to advance in Washington Open
No. 2 seed Kei Nishikori had to work hard for his 6-7 (8), 6-1, 6-4 win over James Duckworth in the second round of the Washington Open.
Nishikori, who is playing his first tournament after withdrawing from Wimbledon due to a calf injury lost a close tie-breaker in the opening set. There ware couple of breaks apiece, but the Australian sneaked ahead in the breaker.
The Japanese struck back immediately as he converted his fifth break point opportunity to take a 2-0 lead in the second set. Nishikori won 84% of his service points and did not give Duckworth any opportunities to come back into the set.
Duckworth showed some fight in the third set, but Nishikori broke the Australian’s serve in the third game before serving out the match. Nishikori will face the winner of the match between Leonardo Mayer and Blaz Rola in the next round.
2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic registered a comfortable 7-6 (2), 6-3 win over Hyeon Chung. It is Cilic’s first match since his quarterfinal defeat to Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon this year. The Croat will face Sam Querrey in the next round, who beat Japan’s Go Soeda 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.
Another American Jack Sock made it to the Round of 16 with a 7-6 (7), 6-3 win over Ruben Bemelmans. He will face either Richard Gasquet or Gilles Muller in the next round.
No. 12 seed Vasek Pospisil also came through in straight sets over American Donald Young. The Canadian did not face a single break point in his 7-5, 6-3 victory against Young. Pospisil will take on either Victor Estrella Burgos or John Isner in his next match.