The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Tenth-seeded Kei Nishikori of Japan advanced to the third round of the U.S. Open on Thursday when Pablo Andujar retired with an injury.

Nishikori was leading 6-4, 6-1 when the 48th-ranked Andujar suddenly came to the net. Tournament officials did not immediately detail the nature of the Spaniard’s injury.

“It’s unfortunate for Pablo today, but I have been playing well … had good two sets,” Nishikori said.

The 24-year-old Nishikori, who has never made it past the fourth round in five previous U.S. Open appearances, has been battling an injury of his own in recent weeks. A severely infected right big toe forced him to miss tuneup events leading up to Flushing Meadows.

Nishikori next faces the winner of 23rd-seeded Leonardo Mayer and Matthew Ebden.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.