Novak Djokovic, winner of 21 Majors, is back in Auckland 16 years after claiming an ATP title there. The Serb is off to a great start at the ATP 250 event following a convincing 6-3, 6-2 win over Constant Lestienne. Therefore, Novak moves safely through to the second round, with a winning start to the season and looking forward to more in the rest of the week.
Djokovic sealed the deal in an hour and 15 minutes, doing everything right in his games and converting 43% of return points on three breaks from eight chances. The Serb dropped nine points behind the opening shot and defended a lone break point to keep the pressure on the other side and advance to the last 16.
Novak was held to scoreless in the first game of the encounter, and Constant responded with a game-winning volley in the second game to make it 1-1.
Novak Djokovic is safe in the second round in Adelaide.
Djokovic produced another good hold in the third game with a game-winning volley into the net, finding his shots early on.
Lestienne fired a forehand down the line winner in the fourth game to make it 2-2 and a reliable start after 13 minutes. The Frenchman created a break chance in game five after the Serb’s error into the net. Novak denied it after the opponent’s forehand error and fired a serve winner to open a 3-2 gap.
Constant missed her chances in the sixth game and played a loose forehand to drop serve to find herself 4-2 behind. Djokovic cemented the lead with a forehand down the line winner in game seven, and Lestienne extended the set with an ace in the next.
Novak served for the set at 5-3 and hit a service winner to end it in 38 minutes. The Serb created three break chances early in the second set and converted the third with a forehand down the line winner that sent him up a set and a break.
Novak was held to love in the second game and converted the third break chance a few minutes later for a 3-0 lead. A service winner sent Djokovic 4-0 in front, and he widened the gap to 5-1 with another good check in the sixth game. Lestienne served well in games five and seven to avoid a bagel and prolong the match, with Djokovic serving out for the 5-2 win. The Serb sealed the deal with a serve winner that sent him over the top and into the second round.
