TENNIS in DEPTH.

Defending champion Novak Djokovic became the first man to reach the third round of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia when he beat Albert Montanes in Rome on Tuesday night.

The Serbian – who knows only a repeat victory will give him any chance of holding on to his world number three ranking ahead of Andy Murray – triumphed 7-6 (7/5) 6-0 in a match that finished at quarter past midnight local time.

The pair did not take to the court until 10.30pm after rain again played havoc with the schedule, and Djokovic had to fight hard to win a see-saw first set.

Having been a break down, the 21-year-old hit back and served for the set at 5-3 only for Spaniard Montanes to break again and force a tie-break.

Djokovic was a mini-break down in that, too, but took his first set point and then raced through the second set to seal victory.

Related Posts:

• Djokovic carries Serbia past the USA into the quarter final.
• Serbia take a 2-0 lead as both US rookies lose.
• Djokovic wins despite the rain to repeat as Champion.

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