Japan's Nishikori comes through five-setter in Melbourne

Kei Nishikori of Japan hits a return to Marinko Matosevic of Australia during their men's singles at the Australian Open 2014 tennis tournament in Melbourne January 14, 2014. REUTERS/Jason Reed

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Asian number one Kei Nishikori endured a gruelling five-set marathon in the Melbourne heat before taking his place in the second round of the Australian Open with a 6-3 5-7 6-2 4-6 6-2 win over Marinko Matosevic on Tuesday.

The 16th seeded Japanese got the better of his Australian opponent after three hours, 40 minutes in the full glare of the sun on court two, sealing the victory when an exhausted Matosevic slapped a backhand into the net.