|
 The world number 15 from Japan, coming off his win in Memphis on
Sunday, his fourth ATP career title, lasted only six games against
Teymuraz Gabashvili of Russia.
Gabashvili was leading 4-2 when Nishikori called it a day due to a
painful left hip flexor. He later withdrew from next week's Acapulco
event.
"I tried to play, but if you're not 100 per cent, it's tough,"
Nishikori told reporters.
"I couldn't do anything today. It's going to take some time to
recover. It's shocking this happened, especially since I've been
playing well."
Second seed John Isner had to dig deep to win his second round
match, recovering from a big deficit in a third-set tiebreak to beat
Dudi Sela of Israel 3-6 6-1 7-6 (5).
In a match of fluctuating fortunes, American Isner had four match
points in the 10th game of the third set before Sela, who is ranked
75th in the world, recovered to hold serve.
[to top of second column] |
Buoyed by that escape, Sela led 5-2 in the tiebreak before Isner won
the final five points of the match, closing it out with a forehand
winner.
"It puts a lot of stress on me playing matches like that. It seems I
always do it but I'm glad to get through," said Isner, who has a
perfect 5-0 record in three-set matches this year.
"I wish I didn't have to dig so deep... I think he (Sela) may have
got a little nervous (in the tiebreak)."
Seventh seed Marin Cilic of Croatia had a more easier outing,
beating American Ryan Harrison 6-3 6-4.
In Thursday's late game, American Rhyne Williams outlasted Marcos
Baghdatis of Cyprus 6-7 (7) 6-4 6-2.
(Reporting by Andrew Both in Cary, North Carolina; editing by Sudipto Ganguly)
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
