Australian Open: Kohlschreiber with surprising opening K. o.

Bitter end to the 13. Melbourne participation: Philipp Kohlschreiber failed in the first round of the Australian Open.

The 34-year-old had to face the world rankings-168 in a curious game. Yoshihito Nishioka (Japan) in five sets with 3:6,6:2,0:6:6,6:1,2:6. The underdog benefited from a tricky slice backhand Kohlschreiber at the first match point after 2:39 hours. For the Davis Cup player in 27th place, it was only the second opening defeat in Melbourne. In 2016, he also had to admit defeat to a player from Japan: Kei Nishikori.

Kohlschreiber caught up twice a set gap on Court 5, but made too many unforced mistakes (55). The Augsburg player had been in the quarter-finals of the Happy Slam three times so far – most recently in 2013.