Top seed Marin Cilic has advanced to the Rakuten Open Japan Tennis Championships second round. Croatia's Cilic ousted qualifier Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3 6-2. It was the first-ever meeting between the two. Tsitsipas got off to a good start as he broke Cilic for a 2-1 lead. However, Cilic was quick to bounce back, breaking back the Greek to make it 2-2. Both players were tied at 3-3 when the Tokyo No. 1 seed won three games in a row to seal the first set.

Cilic continued his streak in the second set by winning the first two games of the set. Tsitsipas saved a break point before he won the third game to reduce the deficit.

One more break of serve in the seventh game helped the Croat take a comfortable win. Cilic fired eight aces and 83 percent of his first serve points during the match. The Croat broke Tsitsipas four times in 11 attempts. The match came to an end after an hour and 13 minutes of action.

Cilic plays Uchiyama next

Cilic is now set to meet wildcard Yasutaka Uchiyama in Tokyo. Japan's Uchiyama edged Cilic's fellow compatriot Franko Skugor in a three-setter 6-3 3-6 6-1. Uchiyama and Skugor met for the first time at the ATP level this Monday.

Uchiyama got off to an early 3-0 first-set lead. Uchiyama held on to his serve to open up a 5-3 lead. Skugor had a break point to make it 5-4 but couldn't convert as he lost the set 6-3.

Skugor saved four break points before he clinched a 4-3 second set lead. Skugor broke Uchiyama in the following game for a 5-3 lead. The Japanese had a break point -- which he didn't convert -- as Skugor managed to serve out for a decider.

Skugor saved two break points to make it all tied at 1-1 in the third set. Uchiyama didn't make the same mistake two games later as he broke Skugor for a 3-1 lead.

Eventually, Uchiyama won the last five games of the match to seal the win in style. Uchiyama hit nine aces and won 83 percent of his first serve points during the match. The Japanese broke Skugor three times and saved 2-of-3 of the Croat's break point opportunities. It took just over two hours for the match to come to an end.

Uchiyama hoping for an upset

Cilic and Uchiyama will be meeting for the first time when they clash off in Tokyo. Top seed Cilic is the clear favorite to beat Uchiyama and reach the quarter-finals. However, world No. 214 Uchiyama will certainly be eager to put on a good performance. It remains to be seen can home-favorite Uchiyama make a huge surprise and defeat Cilic.
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