Novak Djokovic began his campaign for Olympic gold in Tokyo with a comfortable straight sets over Hugo Dellien. The world No 1 took just 61 minutes to see off his Bolivian opponent in the sweltering early evening heat of the Japanese capital.
The Serb won 6-2, 6-2 against the world No 139.
He missed three break points to go up an early break at 2-1 but managed to convert his fifth break point opportunity in Dellien’s next service game to move 4-2 ahead.
Djokovic then broke the Dellien serve again 5-2 to claim the opener.
Despite the Bolivian’s best efforts, there was a clear gulf between the two as the world No 1 quickly raced into a 4-1 lead in the second set.
At 5-2, Djokovic converted his second match point with a clean forehand winner.
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“Today there was not much of a breeze. I felt like there was trapped hot air that was absorbed by the surface.
“It was tough, and probably tougher for the earlier matches.
“I at least had half of the match in shade so I could see the ball better and not feel dizzy on the court.”
Djokovic is looking to become the first man to win the ‘Golden Slam’ which would involve the Serb winning Olympic gold and all four Grand Slams in the same year.
The 20-time Grand Salm champion has already won the Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon this year with victories in Tokyo and the US Open later in the summer needed to secure the historic achievement.
But the world No 1 has never won a gold medal at the Olympics before.
He won bronze in 2008 after losing to Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals before another last four loss in London to Andy Murray four years later.
Then, Djokovic was dumped out in the first round at the 2016 Olympics to Juan Martin del Potro.
He next faces Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff in the second round on Monday.
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