Second seed Djokovic prevails in Beijing

Beijing: Novak Djokovic was the first men’s seed into the second round of the USD 6.6 million (4 million pound) China Open on Monday after an absorbing if not high quality 6-3, 7-5 victory over Victor Hanescu.

The Serbian, chasing his third title of the year, ultimately justified his second seeding but struggled throughout to impose his game on his 1.98-metre (6ft 6in) Romanian opponent. The first set turned on the seventh game, when the world number four saved two break points then went on to take a 5-2 lead. The first four games of the second set went against serve and it was Hanescu, who had just called on the trainer, who restored order by going 3-2 up.From then on, however, Djokovic looked the stronger and a fizzing crosscourt winner for his fifth break of the match sealed his place in the last 16. Earlier, Ivo Karlovic sported a pair of sunglasses to shield his eyes from the midday sun but they failed to prevent the big Croatian from falling to a 7-6, 4-6, 6-1 defeat at the hands of German Philipp Kohlschreiber. Spain’s top seed and world number two Rafa Nadal returns from injury in his opening match against a fellow former China Open champion Marcos Baghdatis on Tuesday. In the women’s draw, normal business was resumed for one of the surprises of the US Open when Belgian teenager Yanina Wickmayer, a semi-finalist at Flushing Meadow last month, was beaten 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 by Russian Alisa Kleybanova.Fifth seeded Dane Caroline Wozniacki, who beat her in New York, was also knocked out in the first round on Sunday, while American teenage sensation Melanie Oudin failed to make it through qualifying. World number one Dinara Safina, who must at least match Serena Williams’s progress in Beijing to retain the top ranking, plays China’s Zhang Shuai in the second round later on centre court. Bureau Report