Djokovic shines in first-round win - Sport in brief - Evening Standard
       

Djokovic shines in first-round win

Novak Djokovic showed why he is the player considered most likely to end the recent grand slam dominance of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal by cruising into the second round of the Australian Open with a 6-0 6-2 7-6 (7/5) win over German Benjamin Becker.

Such was Djokovic's dominance that he needed less than an hour to win the opening two sets.

But while 20-year-old Djokovic was impressive, it was yet another disappointing Australian Open for 17th seed Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia, who lost in four sets to little-known Dutch qualifier Robin Haase.

The other seeds in action on day two had little trouble reaching the second round.

David Nalbandian (10) of Argentina, who has reached the fourth round or better at Melbourne Park in the past five years, overcame Australian wild card Robert Smeets 6-1 6-1 7-6 (7/3), while Spain's Fernando Verdasco (25) also progressed in straight sets.

Cypriot Marcus Baghdatis, the 2006 Australian Open runner-up, defeated 2002 champion Thomas Johansson 7-6 (7/0) 6-2 3-6 6-3 to set up a potential second-round meeting with Marat Safin, who claimed the title three years ago.

Juan Monaco (21) of Argentina, American Amer Delic and Italy's Simone Bollelli also progressed.

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