Kei Nishikori through to third round of French Open

Kei Nishikori has progressed to the third round of the French Open after a 6-1 5-7 6-1 6-4 win over Grega Zemlja.

The number 13 seed dominated the opening set, breaking Zemlja twice before taking it 6-1.

Zemlja fell 4-1 behind in the second set but fought back, winning four games in succession to move 5-4 ahead. Both players held serve in the next two games before Nishikori took the set with his second break point.

The Japanese player enjoyed a more comfortable third set, breaking his opponent three times to hold a 5-0 lead. Despite losing his serve in the next game, Nishikori broke the Slovenian again to claim the set.

Nishikori broke twice in the third set to establish a 4-2 lead, but Zemlja made a break of his own to claw it back to 4-5. However, Nishikori took the final game with his second break point to secure victory.

He will face either Benoit Paire or Lukasz Kubot in the next round.

Written by
Steven Toplis