Thiem and Nishikori stumble in Germany

Kei Nishikori and Dominic Thiem have joined the big-name exodus at Germany's Halle Open after falling to Karen Khachanov and Yuichi Sugita respectively.

Dominic Thiem and Kei Nishikori are the latest seeds to fall in Halle after they both suffered shock losses in the second round.

Nishikori, seeded seventh for the grass-court event in Germany, was beaten 6-2 6-2 by Russia's Karen Khachanov.

Third seed Thiem, who reached the French Open final against Rafael Nadal earlier this month, was stunned as he fell in straight sets to Japan's Yuichi Sugita 6-2 7-5.

The 24-year-old Austrian saved three match points on Sugita's serve but a long backhand on the fourth confirmed a place in the quarter-finals for the world No.52.

Khachanov will face Spanish fourth seed Roberto Bautista-Agut in the last eight after he eased past Dutchman Robin Haase 6-4 7-5.

"I had to play more aggressive," Khachanov said after recording his 20th match win of the season.

"I had good memories here on centre court. I played three matches here last year so it gave me a lot of confidence and experience. This year has been great so far."

After eliminating world No.18 Lucas Pouille on Monday, Greek teenager Stefanos Tsitsipas tasted a bitter defeat to American qualifier Denis Kudla.

Kudla sweeped up a 6-3 6-4 win for the right to face Sugita in the next round.

Defending champion Roger Federer is aiming for a record-extending 10th title in Halle and he will continue his campaign in the second round against Benoit Paire on Thursday.

Australia's Matthew Ebden will open proceedings against Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber.


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Source: AAP


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