Nishikori rallies to edge Coric in Japan Open

TOKYO  — Defending champion Kei Nishikori of Japan survived a scare by teen Croatian ace Borna Coric on Monday, sealing a 2-6, 6-1, 6-2 comeback win in the first round of the Rakuten Japan Open.

The 38th-ranked Coric, the youngest player in the top 50 of the ATP world rankings, showed a maturity beyond his years to take the first set and looked likely to upset the home-crowd favorite.

However, the 18-year-old won only one of the next nine games as the sixth-seeded Nishikori eventually advanced to the second round in two hours and eight minutes.

"In the first set I played too good, out of my limits, and in the second I just couldn't maintain the level," said Coric, who spearheaded Croatia's Davis Cup victory over Brazil last month.

"I'm still very young. I can see that I've so many things to work on for maybe two or three years. I need to improve for sure."

Nishikori is seeking his third triumph in this event, which he also won in 2012, and his fourth title of the season, having tasted success in Memphis, Washington and Barcelona.

"I was hitting too short in the first set, and I was rushing a little bit. I had a lot of unforced errors," said Nishikori, whose only competitive appearance since his first-round exit at the US Open in late August had been in Japan's Davis Cup defeat of Colombia.

"In the second set I started playing more patient, and at the same time stepping up and being more aggressive. Third set I was playing great."

He next faces the big-serving Sam Querrey, of the US, who defeated the 35th-ranked Alexandr Dolgopolov, of Ukraine, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4.

Nishikori is also set to suit up for the Japan Warriors this December in the International Premier Tennis League. Coric, on the other hand, will be playing under the Philippine Mavericks banner.

The IPTL is slated to hold its second leg at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City starting December 6.