Top seed Novak Djokovic earned his first win at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel in Acapulco on Tuesday. The world no.2 eliminated Martin Klizan 6-3, 7-6 (4) to reach the second round of the ATP World Tour 500 tournament.
Novak had to save four break points before converting his own chance for a 4-2 lead. He took the first set three games later.
The 29-year-old Belgrade native was up a break early in the second set, but Klizan broke him twice and moved 4-2 ahead. It looked as if the match would head to a third set, but Nole broke back immediately and outplayed his rival in the tie-break for the straight-sets victory. The Serbian clinched his third ATP Head2Head meeting with the 62nd ranked Slovak in one hour and 34 minutes.
“It’s always tough to win the first match but I’m happy with my game, especially in the first set, hopefully I can keep playing like that”, Djokovic said.
Match statistics: aces (3-2), double faults (0-3), winners (9-25), unforced errors (11-30), total points won (76-59).
Novak will next meet Argentine Juan Martin del Potro (ATP #32) who defeated American qualifier Frances Tiafoe (ATP #89) 6-4, 3-6, 7-6.
It will be their 16th career meeting (11-4 H2H).
Photo: Getty Images
