Matosevic exits early in Memphis

Matosevic exits early in Memphis

Czech Jiri Vesely made short work of fifth-seeded Marinko Matosevic with a straight-sets win over the Australian in the first round of the US National Indoor Championships.

File picture shows Marinko Matosevic of Australia at the APIA Sydney International tennis tournament on January 8, 2014

Vesely, ranked 81st in the world, defeated the 54th-ranked Matosevic 6-3,6-2, converting four of his seven break point chances to notch his second ATP Tour match win.

Matosevic, who reached the semi-finals here last year in his Memphis debut, wasn't the only seed to fall on the first day of competition in the $647,675 tournament.

US veteran Michael Russell rallied from a set down to beat seventh-seeded Michal Przysiezny of Poland 3-6, 6-3, 6-1.

Russell, 35, posted his first ATP match win of 2014 and next faces American Tim Smyczek, who beat rising Australian talent Nick Kyrgios 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 6-3.

Reigning champion Kei Nishikori of Japan is the top seed in the tournament, but won't launch his title defence until the second round after enjoying a first-round bye along with second-seeded Feliciano Lopez of Spain, third-seeded Australian Lleyton Hewitt and fourth-seeded Lu Yen-Hsun of Taiwan.

Last year Nishikori didn't drop a set en route to the title, beating Lopez in the final 6-2, 6-3.

He arrives in Tennessee for his title defence fresh from helping Japan reach the Davis Cup World Group quarter-finals for the first time with a 4-1 first-round victory over Canada earlier this month.

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