By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, July 4, 2017
Grass is the most dangerous Grand Slam surface, says Novak Djokovic.
The second-seeded Djokovic enjoyed a benign beginning to this Wimbledon.
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Djokovic won eight of the first 11 games holding a 6-3, 2-0 lead when a hobbled Martin Klizan pulled the plug on their Wimbledon opener due to a left calf injury.
It was Djokovic's fifth consecutive grass-court win as he raised his 2017 record to 29-7.
The three-time Wimbledon champion has reached the semifinals in six of his last seven SW19 appearances and looked eager in his return after a shocking third-round upset to Sam Querrey last year.
It was Djokovic’s first match with both of his coaches—Hall of Famer Andre Agassi and former world No. 7 Mario Ancic—in his support box.
Team Djokovic celebrated a stress-free start.
Roger Federer followed Djokovic onto Centre Court and his match followed a similar script. The third-seeded Swiss held a 6-3, 3-0 lead when Alexandr Dolgopolov retired with a foot injury.
The speed of injury-shortened openers left Grand Slam rivals contemplating playing a practice set to entertain centre court fans.
"It's really odd that Roger's result and my result more or less was the same," Djokovic said. "We had a little joke about it in the locker room, saying we should maybe play a practice set on the Centre Court, have the crowd stay. But they had another match.
"It doesn't happen often really," Djokovic said of the back-to-back retirements. "I'm sure the players that retired, as well, it's not like this tournament has a special place in players' careers. In this sport, there's so much weight behind it and significance about it. The aura of Wimbledon has probably always been the strongest of any other tournament.
"I'm sure that most of the players on the tour, if not all, feel that. Especially if you walk out on the Centre Court, there is a responsibility. I'm sure they tried their best, but it is what it is."
Truth be told, Klizan was already in a painful place before stepping on court.
Winless in three career meetings with Djokovic, Klizan was riding a six-match grass-court losing streak.
Playing white taping wrapping is left calf, Klizan lacked an explosive first step and struggled to stay in step with Djokovic in running rallies.
The second seed was intent on taking the first strike.
Empowered by his run to his fourth career grass-court title at Eastbourne on Sunday, Djokovic served 70 percent, won 20 of 23 first-serve points and did not face a break point in the match.
Slashing one of his seven aces down the middle, Djokovic opened a 4-3 lead.
Djokovic’s quick-strike skill combined with his opponent’s immobility conspired to create the first break.
Darting right, Djokovic laced a running forehand down the line that Klizan could not even more toward. That shot gave Djokovic break point and he broke for 5-3 when the left-hander sprayed a loopy forehand.
Djokovic broke a distracted Klizan to open the second set and quickly confirmed the break with a second-serve ace for 2-0.
Klizan pulled the plug with Djokovic holding a 6-3, 2-0 lead.
Next up for Djokovic is 22-year-old Czech Adam Pavlasek, who defeated American Ernesto Escebedo 6-7 (7), 6-1, 6-3, 6-1.
A possible third-round clash with 2009 US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro may be looming as Djokovic tries to ride this winning wave.
Asked to explain the Big 4 dominance of The Championships, Djokovic said major consistency is key to winning Wimbledon.
"Honestly, I haven't really thought about that," Djokovic said. "It's just that the four of us have been really aiming always to really peak in the biggest tournaments. For some reason, we've been very successful in the last 10 or plus years. Grand Slams, Roger had I think record-breaking semifinals in a row. The Grand Slams, I had also many in a row. Murray, Nadal of course very consistent.
"It's a great era of men's tennis, no doubt. The four of us have produced a lot of great matches and rivalries. I think from one way it's good for the sport. In the other hand, you can't expect it's going to last for a long time. Eventually there will be a different winner."