14. 04. 2010. ·
Top-seeded Novak Djokovic began quest for title with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over world no.67 Frenchman Florent Serra in 1 hour and 23 minutes at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters on Wednesday.
Djokovic started strongly, breaking Serra’s service twice, in the second and fourth game for 4-0 lead. The Frenchman broke back once in the fifth game, but the 22-year-old Serb made one more break in the eighth game to take the first set 6-2 in very convincing fashion.
Nole capitalised on a break point in the second game of the second set for 2-0, but Serra fought back immediately and then held to level the result. ATP world no.2 made a crucial break in the eighth game and then served out the match 6-3.
”I have to be happy with the game because it’s the first clay court match – not including Davis Cup – since Roland Garros last year,” said Djokovic after the match. “Some things can be better, like serve and maybe movements but I’m still adjusting to the surface and conditions.”
Statistics: aces (2:2), double faults (4:5), winners (25:19), unforced errors (23:33).
Novak will face no.13 seed Stanislas Wawrinka for a place in the quarterfinals. The Swiss beat Latvian Ernests Gulbis in straight sets 6-1, 6-4.
Djokovic and Wawrinka have met nine times, Nole leads 7-2.
Novak and Viktor lost to no.4 seeds Dick Norman (BEL) and Wesley Moodie (RSA) 6-2, 4-6, 8-10 in the second round of doubles competition.
