Pierre-Hugues Herbert dominated on serve and at the net to beat sixth-seeded Japanese star Kei Nishikori 6-1, 6-4 on Tuesday at the Open 13 Provence.
“I knew I would need to be aggressive from the start, as I knew Kei would be better than me from the baseline,” said Herbert. “I cannot complain about anything today and I stuck to my game plan from the beginning to the end. I am very happy with the win. I kept moving forwards and did let him play.”
Herbert beat his first seeded player at an ATP tournament since overcoming fifth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in the 2020 Montpellier second round. The 29-year-old completed his second victory of the year with his 11th ace, having won 25 of 30 first-service points in the 70-minute encounter.
Herbert will next face Cameron Norrie of Great Britain or fellow Frenchman Constant Lestienne.
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Australian qualifier Matthew Ebden recovered from a set and break deficit to beat Benjamin Bonzi of France 3-6, 7-6(6), 6-3 in two hours and 27 minutes. Wild card Bonzi served for the match at 5-4 in the second set. Ebden will next challenge Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori in the second round.
American Mackenzie McDonald will play 2018 champion and third-seeded Russian Karen Khachanov after coming through a 7-6(2), 7-6(1) victory over Italian Stefano Travaglia, last month’s Great Ocean Road Open finalist (l. to Sinner).
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