Novak Djokovic eases past Lorenzi at Australian Open

Updated on: 17 January,2012 10:39 AM IST |
AFP |

Defending champion and top seed Novak Djokovic cruised into the second round of the Australian Open on Tuesday with the loss of just two games against Italy's Paolo Lorenzi

Defending champion and top seed Novak Djokovic cruised into the second round of the Australian Open on Tuesday with the loss of just two games against Italy's Paolo Lorenzi.

Djokovic had few problems in winning 6-2, 6-0, 6-0 and will next play Colombia's Santiago Giraldo.

Novak Djokovic at Australian Open 2012. Pic/AFP.

The Serbian world number one broke Lorenzi's service nine times in wrapping up his opening match in 1hr 32min on a sweltering day on Rod Laver Arena. Such was the lack of pressure that Djokovic even had the opportunity of playing a trick shot through his legs that Lorenzi netted.

Djokovic is bidding to become just the fifth man to win three consecutive grand slam titles in the Open Era joining Rod Laver, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

Last year's Australian Open final triumph over Andy Murray was the first of seven straight tournament wins in a 41-match winning streak that was finally ended by Federer in the semi-finals of the French Open.

Djokovic, 24, won a career-best 10 titles in 11 finals last year. He defeated world number two Nadal six times and overall was 21-4 against top-10 opponents.