22 January,2011 07:15 AM IST | | PA Sport
Novak Djokovic was handed a straightforward passage into the fourth round of the Australian Open yesterday when Serbian Davis Cup teammate Viktor Troicki defaulted after one set.
Novak Djokovic
Troicki appeared to be feeling the effects of a stomach muscle strain from the outset and looked off the pace as Djokovic took 39 minutes to establish a 6-2 lead.
By then Troicki had already called for the trainer at 4-1 down and the withdrawal came shortly after.
Djokovic broke for a 2-0 lead with a backhand winner down the line and, although his opponent responded immediately, another break helped the World No 3 into a 4-1 lead.
A third break ended the set and the contest. A sympathetic Djokovic said afterwards: "It is the third round of a Grand Slam and he wants to give his best but he wasn't able to do it.u00a0 I know that Viktor is a very difficult opponent and I am just happy that I did not have to spend that much time on the court and that I can continue my run."
