TOKYO: Tatsuma Ito followed the winning example of compatriot Kei Nishikori as the number 103-ranked local dumped top seed Stan Wawrinka out 7-5, 6-2 in the first round of the Japan Open yesterday.
Another seed followed Wawrinka to the exits, as ailing French number five Jo-Wilfried Tsonga lost to Poland’s Michel Przysiezny 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (11-9) after nearly two and a half hours.
Tsonga, the 2009 champion, said he has been suffering for three days from a stomach virus and was lacking energy. “I came here expecting to play good tennis. But it was not enough for me today, I didn’t have enough energy to compete,” he said.
“This virus has bothered me. I tried anyway to do my best on court, I gave everything but I was too tired.”
Number three Milos Raonic, finalist at the last two editions, had no trouble as he fired 22 aces -- the last on match point -- to defeat Australian Bernard Tomic 7-6 (7/3), 6-3.afp
