Kevin Anderson, Nick Kyrgios, Kei Nishikori move along in Japan

Second seed Kevin Anderson kicked off his Japan Open campaign with a battling win over Matthew Ebden.
The South African came from a set down to beat Ebden from Australia 4-6, 7-5 (7-1), 6-2.
“It was definitely a tough match. Playing Matt, he has great hands and feel, he moves very well, he uses pace very well and I think he was doing it very effectively through almost the whole match,” Anderson, who will face American Frances Tiafoe in the second round, said.
“I really had to dig out some break points in the second set, which I think was really important in the end. Fortunately I was able to really pick up and play a great tie-break.”
Nick Kyrgios also won his opening clash as he beat local hope Yoshihito Nishioka 7-5, 7-6 (7-3) to set up a match against eighth seed Richard Gasquet.
Sealed with a sparkler 🙌
2016 champion @NickKyrgios pushes past hometown fave Yoshihito Nishioka 7-5 7-6(3) in Tokyo. #rakutenopen pic.twitter.com/FyiRduGiHm
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 3, 2018
Kei Nishikori flew the flag for Japan as the third seed beat Benoit Paire 6-3, 7-5 to move into the quarter-finals.
Australian teenager Alex De Minaur set up a second-round encounter against fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas with a 6-7 (1-7), 7-6 (7-5), 6-2 win over Gilles Simon.
Meanwhile, we could be in for an-all Canadian semi-final as Denis Shapovalov overcame Stan Wawrinka 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 and Milos Raonic beat Yosuke Watanuki 6-3, 7-6 (7-2).
More from Tennis365:
Novak Djokovic: I still believe I can repeat my 2015-2016 streak
Tennis Today: Lewis Hamilton ‘challenges’ Serena Williams, while Andy Murray has ‘grumpy’ tendencies
Serena Williams and Francis Tiafoe to team up at 2019 Hopman Cup
VIDEO: Sloane Stephens unhappy after ‘f****** b****’ tried to hit her
Latest
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon supremo backs call to have Iga Swiatek open Centre Court on Tuesday
Is there anybody better for the job than Iga Swiatek?
-
Wimbledon
Ons Jabeur enjoys dream opening day at Wimbledon and ‘hopes to go further than the quarter-finals’
A good day for Ons Jabeur at SW19.
-
News
Jodie Burrage to the rescue at Wimbledon as she helps unwell ball boy, feeds him sweets
The British number five attended to the youngster on Court 18.
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon chief insists banning Russian and Belarusian players ‘was the right decision’
“It was the right decision to make for the Championships.”
-
Live Tennis
Wimbledon day one: Follow the action from SW19 with Tennis365’s live scores and results centre here…
Catch the action from Wimbledon with our live scores and results centre…
-
Wimbledon
Iga Swiatek on Wimbledon Centre Court honour and being ‘overwhelmed’ when seeing Serena Williams
Iga Swiatek “proud” to be handed Centre Court honour.
-
Wimbledon
Andy Murray tipped to do some serious damage at Wimbledon as ‘he can beat anybody on grass’
Andy Murray to go far at Wimbledon this year?
-
Wimbledon
Ten Brits who had their 15 minutes in the Wimbledon sun, featuring Marcus Willis, Heather Watson, Kyle Edmund
Sometimes, less fancied Brits have risen to the occasion in front of the Wimbledon home crowd…
-
Wimbledon
Nick Kyrgios to embrace ‘villain role’ against Britain’s Paul Jubb, but slams ‘stupid’ Wimbledon doubles rule
Nick Kyrgios to be wear “black hat” against Phil Jubb, but not so happy about men’s doubles rules.
-
News
Simona Halep on Emma Raducanu ‘inspiring many kids’ in Romania and missing out on Centre Court honour
“Many kids are following her,” says Simona Halep of Emma Raducanu.