Djokovic Begins Aussie Open Title Defense With Win Over Lacko
Defending Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic was a 6-3, 7-6(2), 6-1 first-round Monday in Melbourne over Slovakia’s Lukas Lacko. With the win, Djokovic, a three-time Aussie Open champ, extended his winning streak in Melbourne to 22 consecutive matches, setting up a second round meeting with Leonardo Mayer. Mayer moved into round two after his 6-1, 6-3, 6-1 win over Spain's Albert Montanes.
"I was happy with my concentration," Djokovic said. "I thought I was prepared well. Physically I feel great. I'm very motivated obviously to play my best."
The third-seeded David Ferrer was a 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 winner Monday over Colombian Alejandro Gonzalez. Ferrer next faces Frenchman Adrian Mannarino, a 3-6, 6-3, 6-0, 5-7, 6-4 winner over American Steve Johnson.
"It's important to win the matches in three sets," said Ferrer, a two-time Aussie Open semifinalist. "Because my game is about fitness and I need power for my next match."
Also advancing on Monday were the ninth-seeded Richard Gasquet, a 7-5, 6-4, 6-1 winner over fellow Frenchman David Guez; Australian hometown favorite Matthew Ebden was an opening round 6-3, 7-5, 4-6, 0-6, 6-3 winenr over Nicolas Mahut; seventh-seeded Tomas Berdych, a 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 winner over Aleksandr Nedovyesov; South African Kevin Anderson in a marathon near four-hour 2-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 match over Jiri Vesely; Jerzy Janowicz over wild card Jordan Thompson 1-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-1; the number 17 seed Tommy Robredo over Czech Lucas Rosol, 6-1, 6-7(7), 3-6, 7-6(5), 8-6; Nikolay Davydenko over Poland’s Lukasz Kubot 3-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4; and Denis Istomin rounded out day one action defeating 2006 Aussie Open runner-up Marcos Baghdatis 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 in two hours and 36 minutes.
