adminThe world No. 1 defeated 36th-ranked Fabio Fognini 6-0, 5-7, 6-2.
But he was kicking himself for letting control of the match slip away in the second set, when he went up an early break only for Fognini to get back on serve with a break of his own in the seventh game.
“It was definitely a difficult challenge today,” Djokovic said. “Fabio played well towards the end of the second set, but it was all my fault. I had a break for 4-2 up and I played a terrible game. After that it was very even.
“It could have gone either way.” Fognini saved a match point with a service winner in the 10th game of the second set and broke Djokovic in the 11th.
He duly served out the set, and had Djokovic under pressure in the opening game of the third, when the Serbian fended off one break point then battled through four game points and an irksome time violation before finally holding serve. From there Fognini began to flag.
Djokovic held with ease for a 2-1 lead, then broke Fognini for 3-1. Fognini saved another match point with a service winner in the final game before Djokovic sealed the win.Djokovic said his difficulties hadn’t dented the confidence gained from capturing his fourth Australian Open crown in January, and a fourth Dubai Open title last week.
“I’m not concerned,” Djokovic said. “I know I have been in this situation before where I had minor setbacks in a match, especially in the opening matches where I’m trying to get used to the court, the conditions, so forth.
“In the end, I have done what I needed to do. The ‘W’ is there, so I feel good about myself.”
World No. 3 Andy Murray started slowly but came on strong in a 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 victory over Russian Evgeny Donskoy. — AFP.
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