Djokovic, Nishikori ease into Italian Open 2nd round

May 16, 2018 00:00:00

Novak Djokovic celebrating after his victory over Alexandr Dolgopolov on Monday — Reuters

ROME, May 15 (AFP): Novak Djokovic got off to a winning start in his bid for a fifth ATP Italian Open title on Monday with a straight sets win over Ukraine's Alexandr Dolgopolov as he gears up for the French Open in two weeks time.

The 11th-seeded Serb, who has reached eight of the last ten finals in Rome and won four -- took 55 minutes to oust Dolgopolov 6-1, 6-3 on the red clay of the Foro Italico.

Earlier, Japan's Kei Nishikori eased into the men's second round with a 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 win over Spaniard Feliciano Lopez as Italy's Roberta Vinci bowed out of her final WTA tournament with a first round defeat.