It was not the perfect first-round victory that Japanese fans expected from their hero, Kei Nishikori.
But the world No. 6 managed to take the first step toward defending his Japan Open title by picking up a 2-6, 6-1, 6-2 comeback win over Borna Coric of Croatia on Monday at Tokyo's Ariake Colosseum.
Making his first appearance on the ATP Tour since a disappointing first-round exit at the U.S. Open last month, Nishikori made a sluggish start against Coric, the tournament's youngest player at 18 years and 11 months.