New York Open: Kei Nishikori makes winning return to ATP tour from injury; Steve Johnson knocked out

Uniondale: Kei Nishikori returned to an ATP Tour level event for the first time since last August and cruised into the second round of the inaugural New York Open with a 7-5, 6-3 win over American wild card Noah Rubin on Tuesday.

The Japanese fifth seed, fresh off winning a Challenger event in Dallas, trailed 3-0 in the first set but pulled level and then never looked back against Rubin, who was playing in front of his hometown crowd in Uniondale.

It marked the latest step forward for Nishikori, who last August suffered a severe right wrist injury that caused him to miss last year’s US Open and the Australian Open at the start of this season.

The former US Open finalist has since eased his way back to competition by playing in Challenger events, dropping a first-round clash in Newport Beach before his triumph in Dallas.

Next up for Nishikori in the tournament that moved from Tennessee to Long Island after four decades, will be a clash against Russian Evgeny Donskoy, a 7-5, 6-1 winner over Dominican Victor Estrella Burgos.

No 7 Steve Johnson of the US was upset by Spain’s Adrian Menendez-Maceiras 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7).

In other results, France’s Jeremy Chardy edged Stefano Travaglia of Italy 4-6, 7-6 (1), 6-4; Russian Mikhail Youzhny outlasted Matthew Ebden of Australia 3-6, 6-3, 6-4; Radu Albot of Moldova beat American Bjorn Fratangelo 6-4, 6-3; and Peter Gojowczyk of Germany downed Slovenian Blaz Kavcic 6-4, 6-2.

With inputs from agencies