Monday 29 September 2014 17:52, UK
US Open champion Marin Cilic stormed into the second round of the China Open with a straight-sets win over Yan Bai.
Cilic was making his first appearance in an ATP tournament since claiming his maiden grand slam crown and he needed just 81 minutes to see off the Chinese wildcard 6-3 6-4 at the Olympic Park in Beijing.
Fourth seed Cilic, a previous runner-up at the event, is looking for a good week to help claim a place in the ATP World Tour Finals in November.
"It's important for me to keep focusing on the improvement of my game and try to recreate the game I was playing at the US Open," Cilic told the ATP’s official website.
"It's going to be a process for me at all the tournaments to keep my level at the high point where I want it to be."
Cilic will face Joao Sousa in the second round after the Portuguese player progressed with a 1-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 win against Russian qualifier Teymuraz Gabashvili.
Fifth seed Grigor Dimitrov also made it through, although he was made to work hard during a 6-1 3-6 6-3 victory against Fernando Verdasco.
Viktor Troicki is also through after the Serbian recorded a 6-3 6-4 win over Mikhail Youzhny, while Vasek Pospisil toppled Lukas Rosol 6-4 6-3.
Meanwhile Rafael Nadal returned to action for the first time since injuring his wrist in July to play a doubles match although the 14-time grand slam winner and his partner Pablo Andujar suffered a 7-5 4-6 10-4 defeat to Tomas Berdych and John Isner.
Watch coverage of the ATP China Open every morning from 6am this week, with the final at 12.30pm on Saturday.
