Djokovic makes light work of Pospisil to reach Eastbourne quarters

The Serbian tennis star, who had never played in Eastbourne before this year, featured in his first pre-Wimbledon grass-court event for seven years.

Published : Jun 28, 2017 18:04 IST

Djokovic is the second-highest-ranked men's player to ever compete at the Aegon International behind then-number two Marcelo Rios in 1998.
Djokovic is the second-highest-ranked men's player to ever compete at the Aegon International behind then-number two Marcelo Rios in 1998.
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Djokovic is the second-highest-ranked men's player to ever compete at the Aegon International behind then-number two Marcelo Rios in 1998.

The 12-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic recorded his 25th match win of the season on Wednesday in overcast conditions at the Aegon International in Eastbourne.

Having played only 13 points due to rain on Tuesday, Djokovic returned to Devonshire Park, venue of the ATP World Tour 250 tournament, to complete a 6-4, 6-3 victory over the world No 75 Vasel Pospisil in 85 minutes.

The 30-year-old Djokovic, who is competing at this first grass-court tournament prior to Wimbledon since the 2010 Aegon Championships, will now meet an American Donald Young or 20-year-old Jared Donaldson.

Djokovic, who will be advised by Andre Agassi at Wimbledon, is the second-highest-ranked men's player to ever compete at the Aegon International behind then-number two Marcelo Rios in 1998.

Djokovic will now play Donald Young, who overcame Jared Donaldson 6-4, 7-5, in the second round. Young's American compatriot Sam Querrey — seeded fifth — made a shock first-round exit by losing 6-3 7-5 to Daniil Medvedev and seventh seed Richard Gasquet needed three sets to beat Frances Tiafoe 5-7, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 and reach round two.

Thomas Fabbiano and Dusan Lajovic also progressed to round two but their second matches of the day were halted by further rain. Fabbiano was trailing by a set to Steve Johnson, while Lajovic was only able to complete three games of his meeting with John Isner.

Medvedev's meeting with Robin Haase is also still still to be completed as is the clash between Cameron Norrie and Gael Monfils, the Frenchman a set and a break up in their contest.

Meanwhile at the Antalya Open, David Ferrer and Paolo Lorenzi were both surprisingly knocked out in round two. Fourth seed Ferrer lost 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7-2) to Yuichi Sugita and second seed Lorenzi was handed a 6-3 6-4 loss by Radu Albot.

Andreas Seppi and Daniel Altmaier also joined Sugita and Albot in the last eight - where Fernando Verdasco is the only seeded player remaining.

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