Dimitrov, Nishikori Team For Doubles Win In Brisbane

Teaming up for the second time at the Brisbane International presented by Suncorp, Grigor Dimitrov and Kei Nishikori kicked off the new season with a victory on Sunday.

The Bulgarian and the Japanese downed former doubles World No. 5 Lukas Dlouhy and fellow rising star Dominic Thiem 7-6(5), 6-2 in one hour and 16 minutes, converting on three of 10 break points. They set a potential quarter-final encounter against top seeds and reigning US Open champions Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut. Dimitrov and Nishikori had previously reached the semi-finals together in Brisbane in 2013.

In singles, 2013 finalist Dimitrov opens against fifth seed Gilles Simon on Monday, while second seed Nishikori awaits either Denis Istomin or Mikhail Kukushkin after receiving a first-round bye.

Also in doubles action on Sunday, home hopes James Duckworth and Chris Guccione rallied past the French duo of Simon and Lucas Pouille 2-6, 6-2, 10-2. The wild cards converted on two of three break chances during the 62-minute affair.