BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Japan’s Kei Nishikori reached the second round of the Copa Claro on Monday, beating former No. 1-ranked Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain 7-5, 3-6, 6-2.
Nishikori reached the quarterfinals last month of the Australian Open and showed in Argentina he can also play on outdoor clay, probably his least favorite surface.
In another key first-round match, Chile’s Fernando Gonzalez, who will retire next month after the Masters tournament in Florida, advanced after Spaniard Albert Montanes retired during the second set with a hip injury. Gonzalez was leading 7-5, 1-0.
