Top seed and four-time former titlist Novak Djokovic wasted no time in seeing off world no.88 Andrey Kuznetsov in straight sets 6-0, 6-1, 6-4 on Thursday on Rod Laver Arena.
Novak converted seven of his 13 break points and surrendered serve once, easing into the third round of the Australian Open in one hour and 24 minutes.
The world no.1 won 86% of his first service points and was 7/8 on net approaches.
“First two sets definitely have been great,” said Djokovic. “Overall I executed the game plan. Everything I intended to do, almost 100 per cent, from every second in my game, serve, baseline play, aggressive shots and aggressive returns. He dropped his first-serve percentage a lot in the second set which gave me an opportunity to step in and just swing through the ball.”
Match statistics: aces (8-2), double faults (2-3), winners (28-10), unforced errors (19-34), total points won (89-48).
Novak next plays 31st-seeded Spaniard Fernando Verdasco (6-4 H2H) who beat Japan’s Go Soeda in straight sets.
The 27-year-old Serb is bidding to become the second man in history, following Roy Emerson, to win five Australian Open titles.
Photo: Getty Images
