Djokovic, Osaka win in Miami; Prajnesh out

MIAMI: Novak Djokovic put his Indian Wells disappointment behind him on Friday at the ATP and WTA Miami Open with a ruthless 7-6 (2) 6-2 destruction of Australian Bernard Tomic to move into the third round.

Djokovic eased through the gears at Hard Rock Stadium with just one hour and 13 minutes on the clock. “I commonly feel like that. This was my first time playing at this new stadium, it felt like being indoor a little bit. It’s unique,” Djokovic said.

“Now hopefully,” he added, “I can build some momentum.”

Elsewhere, there was disappointment for Kei Nishikori. The fifth seed lost to Serbian Dusan Lajovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 but reigning champion John Isner outlasted Italian qualifier Lorenzo Sonego 7-6 (7/2), 7-6, (9/7).

Japanese star Osaka had to keep her emotions in check as she opened her campaign by outlasting Yanina Wickmayer 6-0, 6-7 (3/7), 6-1. Serena Williams survived a second-set lull to beat Sweden’s Rebecca Peterson 6-3, 1-6, 6-1, and elder sister Venus notched a 7-6 (7/4), 6-1 win over Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro.

The shock of the day was the departure of Indian Wells Masters winner Dominic Thiem, who was beaten 6-4, 6-4 by Polish 22-year-old Hubert Hurkacz.

PRAJNESH LOSES

Meanwhile, India’s Prajnesh Gunneswaran lost to Juame Munar of Spain 6-7, 4-6 in his first round match on Friday. The 28-year-old left-hander, who reached a career-best ranking of 84 after reaching the third round at Indian Wells as a qualifier, had hoped for another good run. However, the qualifier lost to his 61st ranked opponent in a match lasting over 90 minutes.