Djokovic advances at Wimbledon as opponent retires

The Serbian led 6-3, 2-0 after 40 minutes when Martin Klizan withdrew due to injury.

Novak Djokovic got off to a flying start at Wimbledon, days after winning his second ATP 250 title of the year in Eastbourne. His opponent, Martin Klizan, was forced to retire with a left leg injury.

This was Djokovic's 29th win of the season. In his box for the match were 1992 Wimbledon champion Andre Agassi and Mario Ancic, a former semi-finalist in 2004.

Djokovic has his 29th win this year. Photo: Reuters.

The world number four has been investing in Wimbledon this year after a year of poor form. For the first time since 2010, he played a grass-court tournament to build up to Wimbledon and won. Djokovic can reclaim the world number one ranking if he wins and Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal fail to reach the semi-finals.

Djokovic's next opponent will be Czech player Adam Pavlasek, who defeated Ernesto Ecebedo 6-7(7), 6-1, 6-3, 6-1 after 125 minutes to win the ticket to the next round.

In another match, 10th seed Alexander Zverev easily defeated Evgeny Donskoy with a score of 6-4, 7-6(3), 6-3. The young German player's next opponent is Frances Tiafoe, only 19 years old and defeated veteran Robin Haase 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(5), 7-5 in the first round.

Sixth seed Milos Raonic beat German Jan-Lennard Struff 7-6(5), 6-2, 7-6(4) in his opening match after two tie-breaks and will face Mikhail Youzhny in his next match.

According to VNE