ATP Delray Beach: McDonald battles past Nishikori to reach second round

American wildcard Mackenzie McDonald advanced to the second round of the Delray Beach Open by edging out Japanese Kei Nishikori 7-6 (4), 4-6, 7-5 on Tuesday.

Nishikori broke his American opponent in the seventh game of the deciding set to take a crucial 4-3 lead only to see McDonald break right back and then break again in the deciding game with a stunning forehand return winner.

The win levels the head-to-head between the two players at 2-2 (across all pro tour levels).

McDonald, ranked No 123, will play Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, the No 8 seed, next at the Delray Beach Stadium and Tennis Center.

Delray Beach ATP 250, other first-round matches (Delray Beach Stadium and Tennis Center, hard, USD 680,140):

• Arthur Rinderknech (9) beat Dmitry Popko (LL): 6-2, 6-4
• Yunchaokete Bu beat Rinky Hijikata: 6-2, 6-0
• Alejandro Davidovich Fokina beat Taro Daniel (LL): 6-2, 7-6 (2)
• Yoshihito Nishioka beat Aleksandar Vukic: 6-3, 6-4
• Brandon Nakashima (6) beat James Kent Trotter (Q): 7-6 (2), 6-1
• Michael Mmoh (Q) beat Alexander Shevchenko: 7-5, 7-6 (5)
• Ethan Quinn (LL) beat Tristan Boyer (Q): 6-2, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (2)
• Cameron Norrie beat Zachary Svajda (Q): 7-5, 6-4
• Miomir Kecmanovic (7) beat Borna Gojo: 6-4, 6-4
• Learner Tien vs. Adam Walton
• Christopher Eubanks vs. Reilly Opelka