Nishikori fends off resilient Becker to advance

ByReuters

Published 30/08/2016 at 18:03 GMT

Kei Nishikori held off a fightback from Benjamin Becker and earned a 6-1 6-1 3-6 6-3 victory over the German veteran on Tuesday for a convincing start to his U.S.

Eurosport

Image credit: Eurosport

Open title bid.

The Japanese sixth seed stormed through the first two sets but the 35-year-old Becker took control in the third before Nishikori righted the ship in time to secure a spot in the second round.

"He started playing much better so it was tough third and fourth sets but luckily I got out of the last two games," said Nishikori. "It was a pretty good match."

WTA Stuttgart