Novak Djokovic began his 18th straight appearance at the Rome Masters on Friday with a 6-3, thrashing of Frenchman Corentin Moutet.
The top-seeded world No. 1 was unchallenged in his first clay match in a month after skipping the Madrid date and using Rome as his final preparation for Roland Garros which begins on May 26.
The 24-time Grand Slam winner is still without a title so far this season, an outlier for the Serb.
He has won the trophy at the Foro Italico six times.
The 36-year-old earned his 68th win in Rome, ending with 21 winners and 13 unforced errors.
With the first three games all breaks of serve, the winner said his rocky start was a challenge.
“Match play is different than practice,. It took time to adjust to his lefty game.
“The first four games were bad for me, but from 1-3 down I only lost one more game.
“Moutet is unpredictable, you never know what to expect. But this was a good opening match.”
He added: ‘ You have doubt before every single match – but it’s how you handle them,
“It’s how long the doubts stay there, you can’t let them overwhelm you.”
Djokovic is hoping to win a record-extending 41st ATP Masters 1000 title.
After the match he was given first aid after a water bottle hit him on the head on Friday after reaching the third round of the Rome Masters.
The bottle fell on the top seed and six-time champion from a height of a metre or more as he paused in a stadium tunnel at the Foro Italico to sign autographs after his crushing win.
Reports from the AP indicated that an aluminium water bottle may have fallen out of a child’s backpack.
Djokovic immediately collapsed to the floor as security rushed to his side.
Djokovic spent an estimated 45 minutes in place after the incident, and was then helped to the locker room where he was medically examined and then taken back to his hotel..
“This is not being treated as a deliberate act, but as an accident,” the tournament added.
“A boy was calling out to get an autograph and the bottle fell out of his bag. Novak was taken to the medical centre.” a tournament statement read.
“He underwent appropriate medication and has already left the Foro Italico to return to his hotel;
“His condition is not a cause for concern.”
Main photo:- Novak Djokovic winning in Rome – by Pete Staples/ATPTour.com
