Davis Cup: Novak Djokovic gives Serbia 1-0 lead against Croatia

Kraljevo: World number one Novak Djokovic got hosts Serbia off to a winning start in their Davis Cup World Group first round tie against Croatia on Friday.

Djokovic started both the first and second set with a break easing past 158th-ranked Mate Delic 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in 1hr 30min.

Only in the third set did Delic, 21, show some resistance, winning four games, but without threatening the eight-time Grand Slam winner.

The 27-year-old Djokovic, whose opponent did not have a single break point, relied on a solid service.

"Mate is a talented player with a lot of potential to reach the top in the tennis world, but I`m happy with my performance and that I managed to win," Djokovic said.

In Friday`s second tie Viktor Troicki, who returning to the national team after serving a one-year doping suspension, will play Croatia`s teen star Borna Coric.

Coric, 18, shocked former Wimbledon and US Open champion Andy Murray at the Dubai Open last month.

Serbia are favourites with Croatia playing without injured US Open champion Marin Cilic.