Nole began hunt for a seventh Rome Masters title.
World no.1 Novak Djokovic kicked off his Italian Open title defence with a 7-6 (5) 6-2 victory over Tomas Martin Etcheverry to advance into the third spherical on the Internazionali BNL d’Italia on Friday night.
Making his seventeenth look in Rome, the defending champion moved previous the Argentine in a single hour and 51 minutes.
Regardless of a sluggish begin within the first set, the 35-year-old Serbian star ultimately discovered his rhythm and earned his 18th tour-level win of the season.
Novak dropped his serve within the first sport, however broke again within the sixth to stage. The highest seed received 4 consecutive factors from 3-5 down within the tie-break to wrap up the opening set after 75 minutes of play.
Djokovic grabbed an early break within the second set, and broke as soon as extra within the seventh sport. He served it out to like to seal his place in R3 .
Match statistics: aces (1-4), double faults (0-2), winners (26-13), unforced errors (30-20), complete factors received (72-57).
“Nonetheless not the specified stage, nonetheless discovering the photographs and discovering that groove on the court docket,” Novak stated in his on-court interview. “It’s at all times slightly bit tough enjoying somebody for the primary time. He’s a clay-court specialist. He began higher than I did, I began fairly sluggish, however I discovered my groove in direction of the tip of the primary. The second set was good, particularly the final three or 4 video games. I’m pleased with the best way I closed out the match.”
Novak subsequent faces Grigor Dimitrov (BUL, 26, H2H 10-1) who beat Stan Wawrinka 6-4, 7-6.
The six-time Rome titlist is aiming for a record-extending thirty ninth Masters 1000 crown.
Photograph: Profimedia
