By Chris Oddo | Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Kei Nishikori moved past 21-year-old Dominic Thiem in their first career meeting on Tuesday at the Gerry Weber Open in Halle, 7-6(4), 7-5.

Video: Federer's Behind-the-Back Beauty in Halle

Nishikori had to withstand a strong test from Thiem to get the victory in straight sets. He saved eight of nine break points in the first set and nine of ten overall to clinch the victory in one hour and fifty minutes.

Nishikori had a 2-0 lead in the opener but Thiem would break back for 5-all and actually hold three set points with Nishikori serving at 5-6. But Japan’s top dog held his nerve to force the tiebreaker and took control from there to notch his 35th win of the season.

“There were some up and downs but still it was a good match for the first time on grass,” said Nishikori. “I’m very happy to win in two sets today.”

Nishikori improved his career grass-court record to 21-17. He has never reached a final on the surface. Last year at Halle he bowed out to Roger Federer in the semifinals before achieving a career-best fourth-round appearance at Wimbledon.

In other action at Halle on Tuesday, American Steve Johnson upset Bernard Tomic, 6-3, 7-6(4), while Ernests Gulbis improved his 2015 record to 4-13 with a 6-4, 7-6(3) victory over Sergiy Stakhovsky.

Gulbis will face Roger Federer in the second round.

Other winners on Tuesday were 4th-seeded Gael Monfils (d. Rosol), 8th-seeded Ivo Karlovic (d. Giraldo) and Mikhail Kukushkin (d. Vesely).