ATP Toronto: Kei Nishikori and Karen Khachanov win three-set fights
Kei Nishikori and Karen Khachanov started the ATP Masters 1000 event in Toronto with victories. The start in Canada went without any problems for either of the two.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Aug 10, 2021, 08:39 pm
Both Kei Nishikori and Karen Khachanov traveled with confidence from the Tokyo Olympics to the other side of the planet for the Toronto ATP Masters 1000 event. The Japanese celebrated a respectable success there against the number seven in the world, Andrey Rublev, Karen Khachanov even won the silver medal.
However, these successes are by no means a guarantee of victory back on the ATP tour, both players had to work hard in Canada to fix their tickets for the round of 32. Kei Nishikori faced the Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic on Monday and finally got the upper hand 6: 4, 6: 7 (5) and 6: 2.
Khachanov bends Norrie
The newly minted silver medalist Khachanov also had to go over three sets, but at the start with Cameron Norrie, who is in dazzling shape, had caught a very difficult opening hurdle. After the Russian won round one 6: 4, Norrie made the break at the right time in set two and sent the game 7: 5 into a decisive set. There Khachanov showed his better nerves and won the second round ticket 6: 4.
Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili, who finished the strong run of local hero Jenson Brooksby with a 2: 6, 6: 0 and 6: 4 success, and Dusan Lajovic also reached the second round on Monday in the first matches of the day. The Serb defeated Emil Ruusuvuori from Finland in three sets in his opening match.