Nishikori, Monfils advance at Gerry Weber Open

HALLE, Germany (AP) Second-seeded Kei Nishikori won a close contest against Dominic Thiem of Austria 7-6 (4) 7-5 to reach the second round of the Gerry Weber Open on Tuesday

The Japanese saved nine of 10 break points he faced to set up a second-round clash with Dustin Brown of Germany.

No. 4-seeded Gael Monfils beat Lukas Rosol of the Czech Republic 6-3, 6-4, but No. 7 Bernard Tomic crashed out against Steve Johnson. The American had 12 aces in winning 6-3, 7-6 (4).

No. 8 Ivo Karlovic blasted 28 aces to overcome Santiago Giraldo of Colombia 6-7, (4), 6-4, 6-4.

Ernests Gulbis and Mikhail Kukushkin also advanced at the grass-court event, a tune-up for Wimbledon.