Japan’s Nishikori advances to second round at US Open

Japan’s Kei Nishikori beat Germany’s Benjamin Becker 61, 61, 36, 63 Tuesday in the first round of the US Open in Flushing Meadows, New York.

The 26yearold Nishikori, the world No. 6, will play Russia’s Karen Khachanov, who is ranked 95th in the world, in the second round.

Khachanov beat Italy’s Thomas Fabbiano 63, 63, 46, 63.

Nishikori, the 2014 finalist in New York, was shocked by France’s Benoit Paire in the first round last year.