Nadal Begins Quest For 47th Title; Ferrer Beats Nishikori

© Getty ImagesRafael Nadal beat Gael Monfils in the 2010 Tokyo final.

World No. 2 and defending champion Rafael Nadal started his quest for a 47th tour-level title Tuesday with a 6-3, 6-2 win over wild card Go Soeda at the Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships.

Nadal, who converted four of eight break point opportunities in the 91-minute win, is now 62-11 on the season - second only to Novak Djokovic on 64 match wins. World No. 118 Soeda is now 0-7 at the ATP World Tour 500 tournament.

"I think I played a good match, better than I thought ahead of the match," said Nadal. "My serve was better than I thought because ahead of the tournament it was so-so. For me, the balls were a little heavy so I found it tricky to hit my forehand topspin. My next match against Raonic will be really tough."

Nadal will next face Canadian Milos Raonic, who made a welcome return to the winners’ circle as he defeated Japanese wild card Yuichi Sugita 6-7(4), 6-3, 7-6(1). Raonic had played just one match since Wimbledon, where he suffered a right hip injury that required him to undergo surgery on 5 July and sidelined him throughout the summer. He made his return with defeat to Amir Weintraub in Canada’s Davis Cup tie with Israel last month.

"It felt really good. I’m happy to be back after a difficult summer with rehabilitation. To be back on a tennis court playing matches is an amazing feeling," said Raonic. "I’m really happy I found a way to win today. It was tough and I hope I can just keep getting better and better by the day."

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Third seed David Ferrer was not distracted by the hype of playing Japanese No. 1 Kei Nishikori recording a 6-4, 6-3 victory. The Spaniard, who is in strong contention for one of the four remaining berths at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, converted four of 10 break points to wrap up victory in 89 minutes. Currently fifth in the South African Airways 2011 ATP Year-To-Date Rankings, Ferrer is looking to add vital points in the Battle for London this week on his fourth visit to Tokyo, where he lifted the trophy in 2007 (d. Gasquet).

World No. 49 Ernests Gulbis bounced back from a first-round defeat in Bangkok by battling past Poland’s Lukasz Kubot 6-3, 3-6, 7-5. The Latvian fired 16 aces and dropped just three points on serve in the final set to clinch victory in two hours and 30 minutes. He goes on to face fourth seed Mardy Fish, whom he defeated in the Farmers Classic final in Los Angeles.

Former World No. 3 David Nalbandian enjoyed a resounding 6-1, 6-1 win over Lukas Rosol to open his campaign. The Argentine created 17 break point chances and converted five of them as he raced to victory in 49 minutes. "It was a very good first round," said Nalbandian, who underwent double surgery on his left leg in March. "I feel that every day I’m getting better, so I’m happy with the play today. I didn’t start very well in the US Open Series, but week after week I’m feeling better, playing better and that’s the result today."

Nalbandian goes on to meet Croatia's Ivan Dodig, who upset eighth-seeded Argentine Juan Monaco 6-2, 2-6, 7-6(1) in two hours and 42 minutes. Dodig saved one match point at 30/40, 5-6 in third set.

Australia’s Bernard Tomic put behind him the disappointment of a straight-sets loss to Flavio Cipolla in the first round at last week’s Malaysian Open, Kuala Lumpur 2011 as he ousted fifth-seeded Serbian Viktor Troicki 7-6(6), 7-6(1) in one hour and 43 minutes. The Wimbledon quarter-finalist evened up his match record for the season at 12-12.