CINCINNATI (AP) — Australian Rinky Hijikata rallied to beat Gael Monfils 2-6, 7-6, 6-3 as first-round action got underway Thursday at the Cincinnati Open. 

It was the first ATP win on hard courts for the 25-year-old Hijikata, who played collegiately at North Carolina. He will face Italian Luciano Darderi in the second round. 

The Associated Press