Millman no match for rejuvenated Djokovic

Former world No.1 Novak Djokovic has bounced back from his French Open disappointment with a straight-sets demolition of Queenslander John Millman to open his account at London’s Queen’s Club.

Djokovic, who lost to Italian giant-killer Marco Cecchinato in the quarter-finals at Roland Garros earlier this month, was rampant in a 6-2 6-1 win.

Millman raced to a 40-0 lead in his opening service game but that was as good as it got for the 29-year-old. Djokovic got the first service break in the fifth game to go 3-2 ahead before taking another two games later.

The second set progressed in much the same fashion, Djokovic going up a break with the opening game before a marathon fifth game also went the way of the Serb, giving him a 4-1 lead.

“It was a good match,” Djokovic said. “I can’t really talk about too many negatives.

“The focus was there, right intensity every shot. Every shot was working beautifully.”

The 12-time major champion credited a week hiking “with no kids” for his return to form.

“It was hiking with my wife for five days, if you really want to know,” he said.

“It was a wonderful time after two years with not having a break without kids. We were far away from any tennis court, and it was the best way to clear the mind and also just have a possibility to slow down.”

Djokovic will next face Grigor Dimitrov, who survived a tough first-round workout against Bosnia’s Damir Dzumhur.

The 27-year-old Bulgarian was edged out in a second-set tiebreak but eventually prevailed 6-3 6-7 (7-4) 6-3, sealing victory with an ace.

There were also first-up wins for Jeremy Chardy, Julien Benneteau and Argentina’s Leonardo Mayer, who upset South African third seed Kevin Anderson.

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!