Milos Raonic overcomes Radek Stepanek

Canadian Milos Raonic has won his opening match at the Japan Open by overcoming Radek Stepanek in straight sets 6-4 6-4.

The sixth seed wrapped up the match with his 10th ace of the contest to secure victory after 83 minutes and advance to the next stage of the competition.

Raonic was never troubled by his opponent, breaking Stepanek at the start of the encounter before requiring three sets points to take the first set.

In the final set, the world number 14 took a 3-2 lead after the Czech's forehand error before going on to claim his third victory in a row against Stepanek.

The win was Raonic's 40th victory of the season.