By Adrianna Outlaw | Monday, October 3, 2016

 

Top-seeded Kei Nishikori withstood a test from Donald Young prevailing 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 in his Japan Open return.

Photo credit: Rakuten Japan Open

Kei Nishikori withstood a tough test in his Tokyo return.

The top-seeded Japanese rallied past Donald Young, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, to reach the second round of the Japan Open.

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Contesting his first match since falling to eventual-champion Stan Wawrinka in the US Open semifinals, Nishikori struggled to find his rhythm at the start. Nishikori broke four times in the final two sets to prevail in one hour, 49 minutes.

"I wasn't hitting enough topspin, and he was playing well. He was in the mood to attack and to come in, and he made all his shots," Nishikori said. "It's been a while since I played singles, so I needed some time to get back into the rhythm."

The two-time Tokyo champion will play Joao Sousa for the first time with a quarterfinal spot on the line.

The 34th-ranked Sousa stopped Martin Klizan, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in two hours.

No. 4-seeded Marin Cilic smacked 12 aces in a 6-0, 4-6, 6-3 victory over 37th-ranked Frenchman Benoit Paire.

The 2014 US Open champion will face Spanish left-hander Fernando Verdasco next.

Verdasco withstood seven double faults in a 6-7 (2), 6-3, 6-3 victory over Japanese qualifier Go Soeda.