INDIAN WELLS, March 14 — Japanese star Kei Nishikori eased through his second round match at the Indian Wells hardcourt tennis tournament yesterday, beating Kazakhstan's Mikhail Kukushkin 6-3, 6-3.

The 26-year-old Nishikori, seeded fifth in his eighth appearance in Indian Wells, has never made it past the fourth round in the California desert.

“It is not easy playing the first match of any tournament,” Nishikori said. “But I felt comfortable today. So I hope I can go further than the last couple of years.”

Nishikori, who has been ranked as high as fourth in the world to become the highest ranked Asian player in ATP history, moves on to the third round where he will face either American Steve Johnson or Australia's John Millman.

Nishikori won 71 per cent of his first serve points and broke Kukushkin's serve four times in the 70 minute match.

“The first couple of games are the most important,” he said.

“I try not to hit too many crazy shots and get a good rhythm and if I feel good then go for shots and hit the ball a little harder,” added Nishikori, who last month defended his ATP title at Memphis for the fourth consecutive year, extending his win streak at the event to 17 matches. — AFP