17. 01. 2012. ·
Photo: Getty Images
Top-seeded Nole made a strong start to his 2012 Australian Open campaign with 6-2, 6-0, 6-0 win over world no.109 Paolo Lorenzi.
The defending champion conceded just two games and cruised past the Italian in 92 minutes on hot Tuesday afternoon.
Novak won the toss and chose to serve first. After dropping serve in the third game, the Serbian star stormed through his opening match in Melbourne, winning 17 games in a row to delight his fans on Rod Laver Arena and around the world.
“Obviously I want to get a good start of the year in my first official match in this season,” said two-time champion. “I’m satisfied with the overall performance today. It took me a couple games to get into the right rhythm. It’s a bit difficult conditions. I think it was really the hottest day since I’ve arrived here, so trying to get used to that. But I think I played well after the first set was finished.”
Lorenzi made a break in the third game, but Nole bounced straight back to level things up. The 24-year-old Belgrade native found his rhythm and won the first set 6-2 in 36 minutes.
Novak faced three break points in the opening game of the second set, but fought them off and looked impressive till the end of the match, breaking his opponent’s serve three times in each set to cruise into the second round of the first Grand Slam of the season.
Match statistics: aces (4-0), double faults (1-5), winners (22-10), unforced errors (13-30).
The world no.1 will next meet no.56 ranked Santiago Giraldo. The Columbian beat Italian qualifier Matteo Viola 6-4, 6-2, 6-1.
Nole won their only previous encounter at RG in 2007. The match is scheduled on Thursday.
