By Chris Oddo | Monday, January 4, 2016
Novak Djokovic started his 2016 with the same type of domination that characterized his 2015.
Photo Source: Tennis TV
Novak Djokovic’s 2016 began the way his 2015 ended—with a dominant win.
The Serb eased past Germany’s Dustin Brown, 6-2, 6-2 at the Qatar Exxon Mobil Open, setting up a second-rounder with either Fernando Verdasco or Malek Jaziri.
Video: Brown's Bit O Magic in Doha Puts a Smile on Djokovic's Face
In his first meeting with Brown Djokovic raced out to a 5-0 lead in the opening set before Brown mounted a mini comeback. But Brown’s effort stalled when he poured in consecutive double faults from 2-5, 40-15. Djokovic would win the final two points to claim the set.
In the second set Djokovic broke for 3-2 and reeled off the final four games to seal the victory in 51 minutes. He finished with five breaks on 12 opportunities and only lost one second-serve point.
In other action in Doha, Rafael Nadal was knocked out of the doubles draw. Teymuraz Gabashvili and Albert Ramos-Vinolas defeated Nadal and Fernando Verdasco, 6-7(4), 6-4, 11-9.
Nadal will open his singles season on Tuesday when he meets Pablo Carreno Busta. 5th-seeded Feliciano Lopez fell victim to Daniel Munoz de la Nava in three sets, while 7th-seeded Jeremy Chardy defeated wild card Mubarak Shannan Zayid, 6-1, 6-1.
British qualifier Kyle Edmund knocked off Martin Klizan, 6-2, 6-3, for the first top-50 win of his career in six tries.