RICKY’S ROUND-UP FROM KUALA LUMPUR TENNIS / JAPAN’S KEI NISHIKORI WINS FIRST MATCH

Written by: Staff on 24th September 2014

RICKY'S ROUND-UP FROM KUALA LUMPUR TENNIS / JAPAN'S KEI NISHIKORI WINS FIRST MATCH

epa04414828 Kei Nishikori of Japan returns to Rajeev Ram of USA during a second round match of the Malaysian Open tennis tournament in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 24 September 2014. EPA/AHMAD YUSNI |

Men’s tour news from Kuala Lumpur and Shenzhen: Nishikori opens with a win

By Ricky Dimon

U.S. Open runner-up Kei Nishikori took the court for the first time since his incredible run in New York when he kicked off his campaign as the No. 1 seed at the Malaysian Open on Wednesday. Japan’s top player began in style, rolling over American Rajeev Ram 6-2, 6-3 in one hour and four minutes.

Kuala Lumpur summary

Two other men cruised into the Kuala Lumpur quarterfinals on Wednesday: No. 4 seed Julien Benneteau dismissed wild card Filip Krajinovic 6-4, 6-3 and Marinko Matosevic got the best of Go Soeda 7-6(5), 6-4. Fifth-seeded Pablo Cuevas also advanced to the last eight, but not without a fight. The Uruguayan battled past Ivan Dodig 3-6, 7-5, 7-5 after two hours and 45 minutes. Cuevas will face Benneteau in the quarters, while Matosevic will go up against Nishikori.

Meanwhile, first-round action wrapped up with a pair of matches. Benjamin Becker ousted No. 6 seed and recent Metz finalist Joao Sousa 7-6(1), 6-2. Michal Przysiezny overcame Malek Jaziri 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.

Kei Nishikori of Japan returns to Rajeev Ram of USA during a second round match of the Malaysian Open tennis tournament in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 24 September 2014. EPA/AHMAD YUSNI

Shenzhen summary

Richard Gasquet did not have quite as much momentum in his corner as Nishikori heading into this week, but the Frenchman had scored an impressive Davis Cup victory over Tomas Berdych two weeks ago as France booked its spot in the final. Gasquet maintained his winning form on Wednesday by kicking off his Shenzhen Open campaign with a 6-3, 6-2 rout of Gilles Muller.

“I’m very happy to win my first match here,” the No. 3 seed assured. “I really like playing in Asia. I’ve played well in Beijing and I won in Bangkok. It’s good for me. It’s my first time in Shenzhen. I’m really impressed with the city. The courts are good and the club is very nice. It’s a great tournament and I will try to do my best to win (the title).”

Gasquet is through to the quarterfinals along with Tommy Robredo, Andreas Seppi, and Juan Monaco. Robredo survived a slow start to beat Sam Groth in three sets, Seppi beat fellow Italian Simone Bolelli, and Monaco upset seventh-seeded Vasek Pospisil 7-5, 2-6, 6-3.

Briefs

* Nishikori opens in style, can pass Raonic for No. 7 with Kuala Lumpur title.

* Matosevic on the move, needs one more win for top 70.

* Cuevas books spot in quarters, can be top 30 with final.

* Przysiezny beats Jaziri, must reach quarterfinals for top 140.

* Defending champ Sousa loses in first round, could fall out of top 50.

* Robredo into Shenzhen quarters, will break into top 20 with title.

* Monaco likely up at least five spots, possible top 80 with one more victory.

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.

Topics: Benjamin Becker, Joao Sousa, Julien Benneteau, Kei Nishikori, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Open, Marinko Matosevic, Rajeev Ram, Ricky Dimon, Tennis, Tennis News, US Open runner-up

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10sBalls_com says:

September 24, 2014 at 10:42 am

@RD_Tennistalk’s ROUND-UP FROM #KUALALUMPUR #TENNIS / #JAPAN’S @keinishikori WINS FIRST MATCH- http://t.co/3gfEboTYIh #Nishikori #ATP
RD_Tennistalk says:

September 24, 2014 at 2:15 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: @RD_Tennistalk’s ROUND-UP FROM #KUALALUMPUR #TENNIS / #JAPAN’S @keinishikori WINS FIRST MATCH- http://t.co/3gfEboTYIh #Ni…