Dominant Djokovic races past Lajovic in Monte Carlo

Former world number one Novak Djokovic showed signs of a return to formwith a 6-0, 6-1 thrashing of fellow Serb Dusan Lajovic in the MonteCarlo Masters first round yesterday.It was an impressive performance from the 30-year-old in his first matchsince splitting from coach Andre Agassi and starting to work again withlong-time former coach Marian Vajda. Ranked 13th in the world afterlengthy spells off the court with an elbow injury, Djokovic is trainingwith Vajda for the first time since last year’s Monte Carlo Masters.“I train on this court, so I feel at home,” said Djokovic, who lives inMonaco. “I’ve had a very difficult time in the last 12 months with theinjury and everything else that’s happened.“I’m very happy as he (Vajda) is more than a coach. He’s more like a brother, a father.“The reality is I’ve played six or seven matches since July. I’m lackingmatches and a bit of confidence on court. But I’m looking ahead.”Djokovic dominated from the outset as Lajovic struggled, and despitesome nervy moments on serve in the second set, wrapped up victory inunder an hour to book a second-round meeting with Borna Coric.It was the 12-time Grand Slam champion’s first win at a regular ATP Tourevent this season, after losing his opening matches in Indian Wells andMiami to Taro Daniel and Benoit Paire respectively.Djokovic started strongly, dropping only three points on serve as hecruised to a first-set bagel which was sealed with a fierce returnwinner.Lajovic had his chances in the second, creating break-pointopportunities in three consecutive Djokovic service games as thetwo-time Monte Carlo champion threw in two double faults.But the qualifier was unable to make the most of those openings, and Djokovic broke in game four as Lajovic fired wide.Djokovic had to save two break points when serving for the match, butsealed the win to stay on course for a possible quarter-final meetingwith old rival Rafael Nadal. Nishikori battles past BerdychEarlier, Japan’s Kei Nishikori fought back from a set down to see off Czech 12th seed Tomas Berdych and reach the second round.In a battle of two former Grand Slam finalists, Nishikori raced throughthe final two sets to progress with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 victory.The former world number four, who is now ranked 36th, missed a largepart of last season with a right wrist injury and started his 2018campaign in American second-tier Challenger Tour events. But he wasclose to his best against Berdych, despite making a slow start andcalling for a medical timeout for his troublesome wrist.“It’s not great but, I mean, first match on clay, you know, I’m expecting (a) little soreness,” said Nishikori.“Hope I can put more matches on clay. I always enjoy this Europe season.Yeah, hope I can have good preparation these couple tournaments, andhope I can finish great in French (Open).”The 28-year-old, playing in the tournament for the first time in sixyears, will take on Russian youngster Daniil Medvedev in round two.Elsewhere, American Jared Donaldson launched into an angry tirade atumpire Arnaud Gabas while squaring up to the Frenchman over a line callduring his defeat by Albert Ramos-Vinolas. The 21-year-old petulantlyinsisted a supervisor was called to check the mark, saying: “I can callthe supervisor whenever I want.” He then sarcastically apologised,saying he was “sorry” to hurt Gabas’ feelings.Ramos-Vinolas, who lost last year’s final to Nadal, was leading by a set and a break at the time and went on to win 6-3, 6-3.Former Wimbledon runner-up Milos Raonic had to come back from losing thefirst set to Monegasque wildcard Lucas Catarina, while French veteranJulien Benneteau bowed out of his final appearance in Monaco at thefirst hurdle with a straight-sets defeat by Coric.FIRST ROUND RESULTSRoberto Bautista Agut (ESP x11) bt Peter Gojowczyk (GER) 6-4, 6-3Albert Ramos-Vinolas (ESP x15) bt Jared Donaldson (USA) 6-3, 6-3Andrey Rublev (RUS) bt Robin Haase (NED) 7-6 (9/7), 2-6, 7-5Borna Coric (CRO) bt Julien Benneteau (FRA) 6-2, 6-3Kei Nishikori (JPN) bt Tomas Berdych (CZE x12) 4-6, 6-2, 6-1Novak Djokovic (SRB x9) bt Dusan Lajovic (SRB) 6-0, 6-1.