Novak Djokovic was in clinical form throughout his one-sided opening win at the Astana Open on Wednesday.
The world No.7 eased to a 6-1, 6-1, victory over Chile’s Cristian Garin who reached the quarter-finals at Wimbledon earlier this year. Djokovic, who is playing in only his second tournament since July, was particularly dominant behind his serve where he won 83% of the points. The 20-time Grand Slam champion also hit 19 winners against 11 unforced errors on his tournament debut.
“From the start until the end it was a great performance,” Djokovic said during his on-court interview. “Playing a new tournament in different conditions, the first match is never easy. You’re always looking to see how you are going to adapt but I did it perfectly.’
“I played as well as I could, made him work and used every opportunity that was presented to me.”
Fresh off winning his 89th Tour title at the Tel Aviv Open on Sunday, Djokovic clinically began his latest match. Taking on world No.81 Garin, he stormed through the opening set in just 25 minutes. Djokovic broke right at the start following a backhand error from his opponent on break point. Then in the fifth game, he secured the double break with the help of a delicate drop shot that Garin failed to return. Djokovic was also highly impressive behind his serve with him winning 12 out of 13 points played.
It wasn’t until the beginning of the second frame that Djokovic faced his first test after being taken to deuce during his service game before going on to hold. Continuing his momentum, he went on to break for a 3-1 lead after a lengthy rally ended with a Garin backhand passing shot that landed out. Racing towards the finish line he sealed victory on his first match point with a clean forehand winner.
“I was lucky throughout my career that I have been able to adjust quickly to different conditions and surfaces,” Djokovic said of his quick turnaround between tournaments.
“I think that experience helps with knowing what to do. Winning a tournament makes a difference mentally. Coming into this tournament I feel confident, excited and motivated. I think that helps me to adjust quickly.”
Garin’s loss extends his poor record against top 10 opposition to 2-14. Since recording his best-ever Grand Slam result at Wimbledon, he hasn’t won back-to-back matches on the Tour.
As for Djokovic Wednesday’s win is his most one-sided of the year in terms of games dropped. He is the only male player so far this season to have won Tour titles on clay, grass and hard court.
Djokovic will next play Botic van de Zandschulp in what will be their first Tour meeting.
Cilic and Rublev move on
In other matches that took place on Wednesday, Russian fifth seed Andrey Rublev eased past Chinese qualifier Zhang Zhizhen 6-2, 6-3, to reach his first quarter-final since the US Open. Rublev has won eight out of nine matches played on indoor courts this season and 42 overall.
The 24-year-old will next play Adrian Mannarino who defeated David Goffin 3-6, 6-1, 7-5, less than 24 hours after the Belgian knocked world No.1, Carlos Alcaraz, out of the tournament.
Marin Cilic, who is one of three Grand Slam winners remaining in the draw, survived a marathon encounter. The Croat recovered from a set down to oust Oscar Otte 5-7, 7-6(4), 6-2, after more than two-and-a-half hours of play. Cilic, who is 19-4 against players ranked outside the top 50 this year, will play Karen Khachanov in the next round.
Other winners include Spanish veteran Roberto Bautista Agut who beat Pavel Kotov 6-1, 7-6(5). Finally, Emil Ruusuvuori set up a clash with Daniil Medvedev by thrashing Switzerland’s Marc-Andrea Hüsler 6-0, 6-2.
