• Monte Carlo Masters

Djokovic sails past Seppi in Monte Carlo

Novak Djokovic moved into the third round in Monte Carlo © Getty Images

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Novak Djokovic's attempt to derail Rafael Nadal's bid for an eighth straight title at the Monte Carlo Masters got off to an impressive start as the top seed eased past Italy's Andreas Seppi.

Nadal has not lost a match at the Monte Carlo Country Club since 2003, but Djokovic has won the last seven encounters between the pair and has his sights set on breaking the Spaniard's dominance in Monaco.

In his first match since his French Open semi-final defeat at Roland Garros last June, Djokovic kicked off his clay court campaign with a 6-1 6-4 victory on Court Central.

The Serb got off to a blistering start as he grabbed an early break, and continued to dominate the opening set as he stormed to a 5-0 lead. Seppi avoided the bagel as he held serve for the first time, but Djokovic was firmly in control as he served out for the opening set in little over half an hour.

Although Seppi provided greater resistance in the second set, Djokovic grabbed an early break of serve as he tightened his grip on the match.

The Italian came under constant pressure on his service games and fended off a further three break points as he kept himself in the match. He was unable to break Djokovic, however, and the world No. 1 wrapped up the victory in an hour and 28 minutes.

Djokovic will face No. 16 seed Alexandr Dolgopolov in the third round after the Ukrainian dispatched Australian teenager Bernard Tomic. Dolgopolov, who was beaten by Tomic at the Australian Open in January, avenged his defeat to claim a 6-2 5-7 6-1 victory in an hour and 40 minutes.

Meanwhile, Julien Benneteau set up a third-round clash with third seed Andy Murray after the Frenchman beat No. 15 seed Jurgen Melzer 6-4 6-3.

No. 7 seed Tomas Berdych booked his place in the last 16 with a straight sets win over Marin Cilic. Berdych looked to be firmly in control after an early break in the opening set, but Cilic broke back to force a tiebreak as the Czech served for the set. However, Berdych held firm to win the tiebreak, and raced through the second set to wrap up a 7-6(3) 6-1 victory.

Janko Tipsarevic was too good for Albert Montanes, while Robin Haase, Gilles Simon and Nicolas Almagro also progressed.

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