Raonic victorious on his return at Japan Open

Milos Raonic defeated Japanese wild card Yuichi Sugita 6-7 (4), 6-3, 7-6 (1) in the first round of Japan Open to set up an encounter with top seeded Rafa Nadal in the next round. It will be a re-match for last year’s second round, where Nadal sent Raonic packing by beating him 6-4, 6-4.

For the Canadian, this was the first ATP match since he injured his hip at this year’s Wimbledon in June.

Rafael Nadal advanced to the second round as he outplayed Go Soeda of Japan 6-3, 6-2. He is well aware of Raonic’s potential: “He is a dangerous player for me in the second round,” said Nadal. “He has one of the biggest serves on the tour.”

In other matches Ivan Dodig of Croatia ousted Juan Monaco of Argentina 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (1), Spain’s Ferrer eliminated Japan’s Kei Nishikori 6-4, 6-3 and Alex Bogomolov Jr. of the United States won against Jarkko Nieminen of Finland 6-4, 6-4.

Tags Alex Bogomolov Jr. David Ferrer featured Japan Open Kei Nishikori Milos Raonic Rafael Nadal tennis news