Novak Djokovic began his 2023 singles season with a straight units win over Constant Lestienne on the Adelaide International.
Djokovic started his build-up for this month’s Australian Open, the place he might be chasing a file tenth males’s singles title, with a 6-3 6-2 victory over Frenchman Lestienne.
“For the first match I can’t complain,” Djokovic stated after beating the world quantity 65.
“I played very well. I thought the first six games were very competitive and I have never faced him before.
“He is a counter-puncher, he doesn’t make too many mistakes. He has a tricky serve, hits his spots.
“But once I made that break at 3-2 in the first set I thought I stepped it up and played really good tennis for the rest of the match.”
The 35-year-old Serb, who’s making his first tour-level look in Adelaide since 2007, performs France’s Quentin Halys subsequent.
The different seeded participant in Djokovic’s quarter of the draw is Denis Shapovalov.
Seventh seed Shapovalov recovered to beat Australian qualifier Rinky Hijikata 2-6 6-4 6-3.
Jannik Sinner started his season with a 6-3 6-2 victory over Great Britain’s Kyle Edmund, whereas Karen Khachanov superior by beating Pedro Cachin 6-2 6-4.
Daniil Medvedev moved into the final 16 with a 7-6 (6) 2-1 win over Lorenzo Sonego, the Italian having to withdraw by means of damage within the second set.
