New York: Czech third seed Karolina Pliskova struggled into the second round of the US Open yesterday while 2014 runner-up Kei Nishikori of Japan needed only 47 minutes to advance.

Pliskova, who has a chance to finish the Flushing Meadows fortnight as world number one, held off 138th-ranked Czech qualifier Tereza Martincova 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/3) after an hour and 46 minutes. "It's tough to play Tereza," Pliskova said. "We never played and especially tough to play in the first round. "Not my best performance today for sure, and she made some great shots." Seventh seed Nishikori reached the men's second round 6-1, 4-1, when 205th-ranked Argentine qualifier Marco Trungelliti retired with a back injury.