Novak Djokovic targets final against Andy Murray in Beijing as both advance
Following his victory in the first round of the China Open, Serbian player Novak Djokovic has said he would relish an encounter in the final with Britain's Andy Murray, who also progressed to the second
round on Tuesday.
Djokovic, runner-up at this year's US Open after a gutsy victory over Roger Federer in the semi-finals, defeated China's Gong Mao-xin 6–1 6–3 as he made a comfortable start to the tournament.
The Serb won 87 per cent of his first serves and took only one hour and 11 minutes to overcome Mao-xin, a home favourite. Djokovic held his serve throughout the first set in what looked like a one-sided
encounter from the outset.
The highlight of the first set, especially for the home crowd, was Mao-xin's shot between the legs with his back to the net from the baseline. Despite the display of flair, Mao-xin posed no serious threat
to the defensively strong Djokovic during the rest of the game.
After the win, Djokovic said he enjoyed returning to the same court where he won the bronze at the 2008 Olympics.
"It feels good to be back at a court where I've had a lot success in the last couple years," the 23-year-old said. "Why not a final with Andy Murray. We have not played each other for a long time."
Murray also progresses with ease
Murray, who also entered the tournament on Tuesday, overcame Paul-Henri Mathieu 6–2 6–3.
While the 28-year-old Frenchman produced some inspired moments of Tennis, the Scottish prospect was able to fend off the threat, breaking Mathieu's serve four times during the two-set victory.
"I served quite well today. I didn't once get broken and served a lot of aces," said Murray, who was ill last week and had his pulse checked at 2–1 in the second set.
The game was Murray's first since being knocked out of the US Open by Stanislas Wawrinka last month. The Scotsman seemed troubled by a knee injury between the games.
Despite these fitness doubts, the 23-year-old hit 10 aces in the match, with Mathieu unable to claim a point in three of the 17 games.
"I started the match well and didn't give him any opportunities except in the second set at 3-2. I think that was the only game where he had a couple of break points on my serve. It was a good first round."
Murray, ranked fourth in the world, has three victories and two losses against Djokovic on hard court. Their last encounter was at the 2009 Miami Masters, where the Scotsman triumphed in two straight sets.
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