Djokovic looking fit and well

2008-05-07 15:24

Rome - Third-ranked Novak Djokovic showed no signs of illness on Wednesday when he cruised past Steve Darcis 6-4 6-0 in his opening match at the Rome Masters.

Last weekend, Djokovic pulled out of his match against top-ranked Roger Federer after falling behind 6-3 3-2 in the Monte Carlo Masters semi-finals, complaining of dizziness and a sore throat. Djokovic said tests afterward revealed he had strep throat.

Against the 49th-ranked Darcis, Djokovic broke at love in the final game of the first set, then rolled through the second.

"I feel good. I'm satisfied with the way I played today. The first match is always tough," Djokovic said in fluent Italian. "I feel at home in Italy. I like playing here."

In other second-round play, Spanish clay-court specialist Nicolas Almagro upset seventh-seeded David Nalbandian 6-4 7-5.

The top eight seeds had first-round byes in this clay-court warmup for the French Open, which begins May 25.

Nalbandian saved seven match points before finally surrendering with a forehand that landed in the net.

Nalbandian was the runner-up to Carlos Moya in the 2004 final here, and reached the semifinals in 2006, losing to Roger Federer.

Djokovic led 18-11 in winners and also had 18 unforced errors, with Darcis committing 31.

In January, Djokovic won the Australian Open for his first Grand Slam title.

"The Australian Open changed my life," Djokovic said. "Now I want to become No 1 this year."

Darcis, Belgium's top player, was participating in his first Masters Series event.

- AP