Nishikori loses in 1st round at Japan Open tennis swan song

TOKYO - Japan's former world No. 4 Kei Nishikori lost in the first round of the final tournament of his career at the Japan Open on Thursday, falling to Frances Tiafoe of the United States, 6-4, 6-4.

The 36-year-old Nishikori became the first Asian male player to reach a Grand Slam singles final at the 2014 U.S. Open, where he beat Novak Djokovic in the semifinals. He announced in late April that he would retire at the end of this season.