Australian Open 2017: Kei Nishikori squeezes through in Melbourne
World number five Kei Nishikori reached the Australian Open second round with a five-set victory over Russia’s Andrey Kuznetsov in Melbourne.
Japan’s Nishikori, who needed medical treatment in the final set, beat the world number 45 5-7 6-1 6-4 6-7 (6-8) 6-2 in three and a half hours.
The 27-year-old will next play France’s world number 72 Jeremy Chardy.
Chardy progressed when Spain’s Nicolas Almagro pulled out with a calf injury four games into their match.
Almagro, 31, then rebuffed suggestions he had only turned up to claim the $50,000 (£31,000) that comes with a first-round exit.
He said: “I have more than $10m. I’m not going to play for $50,000. It is not the reason.”
- Murray battles into second round
Tenth seed Tomas Berdych, twice a semi-finalist in Melbourne, also had a comfortable passage as his Italian opponent Luca Vanni retired after losing the opening set 6-1.
Seventh seed Marin Cilic fought back from two sets down to beat world number 278 Jerzy Janowicz 4-6 4-6 6-2 6-2 6-3 in three hours.
More to follow.