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Djokovic ease past Roman Safiulin to reach second round in Monte Carlo

Home Tennis Djokovic ease past Roman Safiulin to reach second round in Monte Carlo
Djokovic ease past Roman Safiulin to reach second round in Monte Carlo
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Novak Djokovic, the world number one in men’s tennis singles, has made a storming start to the clay court season by beating Russian Roman Safiulin 6-1, 6-2 in the Monte Carlo Masters second round.

Djokovic, who won after just 69 minutes of play, is now 2-0 head-to-head against Safiulin.

“I am very pleased,” Djokovic said. “I think even the games that I lost I had break points in those games. It is a really great first match at the start of the clay season. It has always been a little bit up and down. Last year as well, I started off well at this tournament and the second match I lost, so I hope to maintain this rhythm. I have a day tomorrow of training and I hope to come out in a few days time with the same attitude and quality of tennis.”

The top seed arrives in Monte-Carlo having not won a title this season, with his best result a semi-final run at the Australian Open. Having failed to advance beyond the quarter-finals in his seven previous appearances in the Principality, Djokovic will hope this is the week he can return to top form and change that record.

The 98-time tour-level titlist is a two-time Monte-Carlo champion, triumphing in 2013 and 2015. He will meet #NextGenATP Frenchman Arthur Fils or Lorenzo Musetti in the third round. The Italian Musetti upset Djokovic in Monte-Carlo at the same stage last season.

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