• Wimbledon

Ruthless Djokovic bounces back on Centre

ESPN staff
June 23, 2014
Novak Djokovic put paid to concerns about his physical condition © Getty Images
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Novak Djokovic bounced back from last year's Wimbledon final defeat to Andy Murray with a commanding 6-0 6-1 6-4 win over Andrey Golubev on Centre Court.

The last time he played on the same court, he was beaten in straight sets as Murray ended Britain's 77-year wait for a male singles champion at Wimbledon.

Djokovic, playing in his first match since his agonising French Open final defeat to Rafael Nadal earlier this month, also put paid to any doubts over his fitness, having pulled out of a Wimbledon warm-up event last week due to a recurrence of a wrist injury.

"I don't know why people would be concerned about my physical condition," said Djokovic.

"It's been two weeks since the French Open final, that's more than enough time to recover and get ready. I'm feeling good, hopefully I can continue in the same way."

The top seed went close to securing back-to-back 'bagels' at the start of the match, before Golubev finally managed to get himself on the scoreboard in the 12th game.

Centre Court erupted but there was no smile from Golubev himself, though he did manage to put up a fight in the third set.

However, Djokovic broke for 5-4 and closed out the win in just 88 minutes. He didn't face a break point and served seven aces.

"It was a great start in the first two sets, but then Andrey came back and played well in the third," added Djokovic.

"It's never easy, you can never underestimate any opponent. Especially with no matches under your belt, you have to be extra careful."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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