Djokovic returns with straight-set win
Serbian star, however, admits he found the hardcourt victory over Muller tough going
Novak Djokovic made a winning return on Wednesday in his first match back since a shock third-round defeat at Wimbledon, defeating Gilles Muller in straight sets to advance at the Toronto Masters.
The Serbian world No. 1 took the first step toward a possible 30th career Masters 1000 title as he beat Muller 7-5, 7-6 (7/3) in just under two hours.
“It’s tough playing the first hardcourt match since March,” said Djokovic. “It was hot and that made the ball move very fast. It was hard to control, it was not easy to play. But I managed to stay tough. I was disappointed to lose serve twice in the second set when I was up a break, but I was just glad to close this out in straight sets.”
Djokovic brings a formidable record back to Canada, winning 18 of 21 matches at the event, which alternates between Toronto and Montreal each year.
The No. 1 has advanced to the quarter-finals or better in eight of nine years in Canada.
Djokovic stands 47-4 on the season, with six titles. He was beaten a year ago in the Canadian final by Andy Murray.
Japanese third seed Kei Nishikori joined Djokovic as a winner, defeating Dennis Novikov 6-4, 7-5. “I knew I was going to get up-and-downs because I haven’t played matches long time,” Nishikori, who retired in the Wimbledon fourth round, said. “I didn’t practise much, but I played good tennis.”
Sixth seed Dominic Thiem is heading back to Austria for scans on a troublesome hip after quitting after just 20 minutes in a 4-1 loss to Kevin Anderson.
Toronto ATP Masters Second round:
(x denotes seeded player): Milos Raonic (CAN x4) bt Lu Yen-hsun (TPE) 6-3, 6-3; Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) bt Denis Shapovalov (CAN) 6-4, 6-3; Jack Sock (USA x16) bt Donald Young (USA) 6-4, 6-3; Jared Donaldson (USA) bt Fabio Fognini (ITA) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3; Ivo Karlovic (CRO) bt Marin Cilic (CRO x8) 6-4, 7-6 (7/3); Gael Monfils (FRA x10) bt Vasek Pospisil (CAN) 7-6 (8/6), 6-0; Novak Djokovic (SRB x1) bt Gilles Muller (LUX) 7-5, 7-6 (7/3); Bernard Tomic (AUS x12) bt Steven Diez (CAN) 6-3, 7-6 (7/4); Radek Stepanek (CZE) bt Peter Polansky (CAN) 7-6 (7/5), 6-4; Ryan Harrison (USA) bt John Isner (USA x9) 7-6 (7/3), 6-7 (4/7), 6-4; David Goffin (BEL x7) bt Sam Querrey (USA) 6-4, 2-1 retired; Rajeev Ram (USA) bt Lucas Pouille (FRA x13) 6-4, 7-6 (7/5); Kei Nishikori (JPN x3) bt Dennis Novikov (USA) 6-4, 7-5.
Kristina Kucova (SVK) bt Carla Suarez (ESP x8) 3-6, 6-4, 6-4; Agnieszka Radwanska (POL x4) bt Monica Niculescu (ROM) 6-1, 7-5; Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS x16) bt Christina McHale (USA) 6-2, 7-5; Venus Williams (USA x6) bt Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) 6-3, 6-0; Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS x9) bt Alla Kudryavtseva (RUS) 7-5, 6-0; Roberta Vinci (ITA x7) bt Camila Giorgi (ITA) 2-6, 6-3, 6-4; Darya Kasatkina (RUS) bt Samantha Stosur (AUS x13) 7-6 (7/1), 6-3; Elina Svitolina (UKR x17) bt Francoise Abanda (CAN) 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/3).
Rogers Cup: Second round: