Novak Djokovic dumps Andrey Golubev in the second round – BNP Paribas Open 2012
World number one Novak Djokovic started his title defence in style, convincingly toppling Andrey Golubev of Kazakhstan in straight sets 6-3, 6-2 in the second round at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells on Saturday.
The defending champion drew the first blood but Golubev struck back to come back on equal terms. However, the Serbian made the final breakthrough of the opener, clinching the first set 6-3.
The Serbian gave a steady performance. He fired one ace and 57 percent of the first serves. Djokovic grabbed 13 of the 17 points on the first deliveries and seven of the 13 on the second ones. The right-hander continuously troubled
the Kazakh on the second returns, snatching an incredible 12 of the 16 points on them.
Djokovic did not face much hindrance in routing Golubev in the second set. The Serbian snatched double break and did not lose his own serve till the end, sealing it 6-2.
The right-hander did not make much effort on the serve. He was unable to hit any ace and double faulted once. On the other hand, Golubev was too erratic as he committed four. The Kazakh could not save two of the four break points
he came across and failed to create any opportunities in the second set.
The Serbian juggernaut required just an hour and 20 minutes to thrash Golubev.
Djokovic expressed, talking to the newsmen after the match, "It was a good start. We didn't play a beautiful match. There were a lot of unforced errors but it was the opening match and I am still trying to adjust to this court
and get used to the conditions. Hopefully the next match will be better."
The 24-year-old defeated Rafael Nadal of Spain in the final to claim the crown last year.
Djokovic is slated to meet 29th seed, Kevin Anderson of South Africa, in the next match. The South African received a walkover from Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany in the second round.
Meanwhile, eight seed Mardy Fish also made his way to the round of 32 after Italian Andreas Seppi retired with an injury during their second round match. The American, Fish, was leading 6-3, 3-2 when Seppi decided to quit the match.
The contest lasted for just 50 minutes.
Fish will play Matthew Ebden of Australian in the third round. Ebden upset Julien Benneteau in three sets 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the previous match.
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