MELBOURNE (Kyodo) -- Japan's Kei Nishikori advanced to the second round of the Australian Open on Sunday after coming back from two sets down and saving two match points against Brazilian qualifier Thiago Monteiro.

Playing in the Grand Slam event for the first time since his 2021 first-round exit, the 35-year-old Nishikori won the four-hour, six-minute battle 4-6, 6-7(4), 7-5, 6-2, 6-3.

Currently ranked 74th, up from 106th after reaching last Sunday's Hong Kong Open final, the former world No. 4 Nishikori was consistently steadier than the harder-serving 30-year-old left-hander, who has yet to win a title on the ATP Tour.

Monteiro broke serve during the first set, but failed in his six other break opportunities, including twice in the third set's 10th game, when Nishikori saved consecutive match points.

Nishikori, who has battled back from numerous injuries since having hip surgery in January 2022, converted five of his 19 service-break opportunities to win at Melbourne Park for the first time since he was a 2019 quarterfinalist.