ATP roundup: Jannik Sinner avoids upset at China Open

Top-ranked Jannik Sinner began defense of his China Open title with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 win over Nicolas Jarry on Thursday in Beijing.

Sinner won 82 percent of his first-serve points and overcame 12 aces by his foe to dispatch the Chilean in 1 hour, 55 minutes.

The Italian, who has won 12 matches in a row, advanced to face either Swiss wild card Stan Wawrinka or lucky loser Roman Safiullin of Russia

Adrian Mannarino of France and Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands overcame first-set stumbles to advance to the second round. Czech Jiri Lehecka had an easier time of it on Thursday, posting a 7-6 (4), 6-2 win over Spaniard Pedro Martinez.

Japan Open

Frenchman Arthur Fils upended top-seeded Taylor Fritz, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in their opening-round match in Tokyo.

Fils had 10 aces and benefited from six double faults by his foe to dispatch Fritz in 2 hours and 3 minutes.

Sixth-seeded Holger Rune and eighth-seeded Ben Shelton also needed three sets before outlasting Alejandro Tabilo of Chile and Reilly Opelka respectively. Rune posted a 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 victory over Tabilo and Shelton -- the defending champion -- overcame a first-set misstep before notching a 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 win over Opelka.

Fourth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece and seventh-seeded Frances Tiafoe were not as fortunate. Alex Michelsen seized a 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 win over Tsitsipas, while Brandon Nakashima secured a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Tiafoe.

--Field Level Media