World no.1 and top seed Novak Djokovic successfully started his 2016 season on Monday with a straightforward 6-2, 6-2 win over Dustin Brown (118) at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open.
Novak broke five times from 12 opportunities and saved one of two break points he faced during the 51-minute clash.
“It’s been six weeks since I played the last match, so I was very excited to go back to the court and compete, and see how I go,” said Djokovic. “You never know how you’re going to start from the blocks. You can do your best to prepare yourself well, which I did. I think I used the off season very well to train to get my body in the right shape, and I think it was a very good start.”
Match statistics: aces (1-1), double faults (0-4), winners (11-13), unforced errors (12-28), 1st serve points won % (71-56), 2nd serve points won % (87-34), total points won (59-36).
Novak will face world no.49 Fernando Verdasco (7-4 H2H record) on Wednesday for a spot in the ATP World Tour 250 event quarter-final. The Spaniard defeated no.103-ranked Malek Jaziri (TUN, WC) 7-6 (4), 7-6 (4).
