Djokovic and Murray Cruise as Weary Del Potro Exits Toronto

By Erik Gudris

(August 8, 2012) -- The transition from the grass courts of the Olympic tennis event to the hard courts of the Rogers Cup in Toronto proved to be difficult for some and easier for others, including several Olympics medalists who played their opening matches today.

It was an early exit for both singles bronze medalist Juan Martin Del Potro and doubles silver medalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga who both crashed out earlier than expected. Looking rather sluggish on court at time, Del Potro despite forcing a second set tiebreak lost against Radek Stepanek 6-4, 7-6(5). The upside for Del Potro is at least now he will have a chance to celebrate his Olympic medal in Argentina where he is headed to next.

"I came here Monday night," Del Potro said to ATP.com. "It's not easy to play after a big effort in the Olympics, but I tried anyway. Now I need time to recover my body if I want to stay healthy. It's a fantastic tournament here in Toronto. I would like to play more matches, but Radek played better and was a good winner today."

Tsonga, a semifinalist last year at the event, also found himself heading home early as was beat by fellow Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 6-4, 7-6(5).

Andy Murray, fresh off his gold medal victory in London, was hoping for a better result on his first match on the hard courts as he faced Italy's Flavio Cipolla. Despite taking a medical timeout to have his left knee examined, Murray went on to win in easy fashion 6-1, 6-3 and will next meet No. 16 seed Milos Raonic.

Top seed Novak Djokovic looked very comfortable starting out his title defense against Bernard Tomic with Djokovic saving all six break points against him in the first set to cruise to a 6-2, 6-3 win in just over an hour. Djokovic, in his press conference yesterday, expressed eagerness in getting back to his favorite surface though he admitted the transition from grass will not be easy.

"I think it's the same as for everybody else. Just that movement and the timing of the ball, because it bounces much higher than on the grass. So really trying to work on that."

Djokovic will next meet Sam Querrey who took out Kei Nishikori. Other matches tomorrow include Mardy Fish against Juan Monaco and Tomas Berdych versus Richard Gasquet.

Draw: Rogers Cup Toronto Draws

(Photo Credit: AFP/Patrick Kovarik)