Djokovic makes winning start at Australian Open

Djokovic makes winning start at Australian Open

MELBOURNE, Jan 19: Former champion Novak Djokovic powered home to complete a straight sets first-up victory over Spaniard Daniel Gimeno-Traver at the Australian Open on Tuesday. The Serbian third seed fought back from an early break in the opening set to claim a 7-5, 6-3, 6-2 win over the 74th-ranked Spaniard in just over two hours. Djokovic, who won the 2008 Australian title, cruised through the remaining sets, with a break in the second and two others in the final set to clinch victory. Djokovic’s path in his quarter was cleared somewhat by the upset loss of Swedish eighth seed Robin Soderling and 16th Spanish seed Tommy Robredo earlier Tuesday. The Serb is looking for a strong opening Grand Slam of the season after he was forced to withdraw in last year’s Open when the defending champion in his quarter-final with Andy Roddick because of heat distress. Djokovic scored a stunning win over Roger Federer in the semi-finals of the 2008 Australian Open on the way to winning his first Grand Slam, but he has not played in the last seven major finals, dominated by Federer and Rafael Nadal. But under American coach Todd Martin, he is working on creating a more rounded game to push his way into Grand Slam contention. (Agencies)