Nishikori upsets fifth seed Rublev on home soil

Nishikori upsets fifth seed Rublev on home soil

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan s Kei Nishikori advanced to the second round of the men s singles at the Tokyo Games on Sunday, triumphing over fifth seed Andrey Rublev 6-3 6-4 on home soil.

Nishikori, who won the bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, said he was happy to be back playing high-level tennis after struggling with injuries in recent years.

"You know it s been a while playing like this and playing to beat top 10 players. I think it s been two years already," Nishikori told reporters.

"I was a little bit worried if I got nervous on the court but I wasn t, so that s a good sign."

The 31-year-old, who was competing in his fourth Olympics, said he drew on his Games  experience to help him secure victory over Rublev, who was competing as a representative of the Russian Olympic Committee.

"I think experience helps a lot. The first Olympics (in 2008) I was really nervous, and I have a bad memory about that (after losing in the first round) but since then, I think I got many experience, I got strong mentally, and I m playing good."

Nishikori is ranked 69th in the world but has long been the top Asian player on the men s tour, having reached a career-high fourth shortly after his run to the U.S. Open final in 2014.

His win followed his compatriot Naomi Osaka s dominant performance over China s Zheng Saisai in the first round of the women s singles on Sunday.

Another Japanese player, Yoshihito Nishioka, however, was not as lucky. He lost both in the men s singles and doubles events, partnering Daniel Taro in the latter.