London (AFP) – Japan’s Kei Nishikori came from behind to down France’s Julien Benneteau on Thursday to book his place in the Wimbledon third round.
Nishikori, the world number six, won 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 on Centre Court in two hours and 36 minutes.
The 2014 US Open finalist looked briefly troubled when he lost the first set but turned it around.
“I started playing more aggressive and more solid,” the 26-year-old said.
“It wasn’t an easy match. He started well so it was a great match for me.”
Japan’s greatest-ever men’s tennis player faces Russia’s Andrey Kuznetsov in the third round.
“He’s a great young player. I think he likes grass. He hits very flat and also has a good serve,” Nishikori said.
Benneteau has plunged to 547 in the rankings after missing eight months of the tour last year due to abductor surgery, but got into Wimbledon on a protected ranking.
Nishikori pulled out of Wimbledon last year due to a leg injury and it remains the only Grand Slam where the Japanese star has failed to reach at least the quarter-finals.
He is still struggling with a rib injury that forced him to withdraw from the Wimbledon warm-up event in Halle.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.