Top seed Novak Djokovic opened his title defence at the China Open on Tuesday with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, moving to 20-0 at the ATP World Tour 500 event.
The world no.1 improved to a perfect 7-0 career H2H with the Spaniard in just 63 minutes.
Novak had 100% realization of his break point opportunities (6/6) and was 7/7 on net approaches, having saved four of the six break points he faced.
“I did not underestimate my opponent,” said Djokovic. “I wanted to step into the court and dictate the play, dictate the rallies. I think I’ve done well. It was a bit of a sluggish start from both of us. We lost a lot of service games. It took me a lot of time to get into the rhythm, get used to the conditions. Generally it’s fine. I cannot complain about the performance.”
Match statistics: aces (1-0), double faults (1-3), winners (15-4), unforced errors (17-11), total points won (60-34).
Novak faces Vasek Pospisil (41) in the second round on Wednesday about 15.30 local time (09.30 CET). The Canadian b. Lukas Rosol 6-4, 6-3 in his opening match.
Djokovic won the only match they played, in the Davis Cup World Group semi-finals in Belgrade last year – 6-2, 6-0, 6-4.
The 27-year-old Belgrade native is looking to win the title in Beijing for the fifth time, following triumphs in 2009 (d. Cilic), 2010 (d. Ferrer), 2012 (d. Tsonga) and 2013 (d. Nadal).
After the second round singles match, the Serbian duo of Nole and Filip Krajinovic will take on Ernests Gulbis and Marcin Matkowski in the doubles competition.
Photo: ChinaFotoPress
