Rafael Nadal Makes Japan Open Debut

Rafael Nadal made his Japan Open debut and enjoyed a straight sets win over Santiago Giraldo 6-4, 6-4.

The world number one made a surprise early exit at the Thailand Open last week, falling in the semi-final, but was back for the Tokyo tournament as he looks to continue his great season.

But it was not a straight forward win for the world number on as, he admitted as much after the match, he was struggling with fatigue - plus it was a great battling performance from Giraldo.

Nadal fought off all four break points that he faced as Giraldo produced some aggressive play that put Nadal's serve under considerable pressure.

But Nadal's class was too much for his opponent as he was unable to break down the defences of the world number one. And after and hour and fifty minutes Nadal wrapped up a 6-4 6-4 win.

Speaking to the ATP after his opening round match Nadal said: "I started a few games at 0-30, he was playing very aggressive.

"I was also a little bit tired, not a lot of energy today."

The Spaniard will now face Milos Raonic in the second round as he saw off Florent Serra in three sets 6-4 3-6 6-4, firing down twenty two aces during the match.

Jo-Wilfred Tsonga was the biggest name to fall in the opening round as the Frenchman, who is on his way back from a knee injury, fell in three sets to Jarkko Nieminen.

It was Nieminen who made his move first as a double break in the first set saw him take it 6-3. But the Grand Slam finalist battled back in the second to level the match at a set a piece.

Into the third and Tsonga's lack of matches began to show as Nieminen didn't face a single break point while he broke Tsonga twice to complete a 6-4, 5-7, 6-1 win.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw