Djokovic defeats Lopez to win Serbia Open

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP)—Novak Djokovic defeated Feliciano Lopez 7-6 (4), 6-2 on Sunday to win the Serbia Open for his fifth title and 27th straight victory this season.

The Australian Open champion was not always at his best in a match often played in rain and had six double faults.

“You people make it worth to come back to this city and play and hope for the victories,” said Djokovic, who led Serbia’s Davis Cup team to its first ever victory last year.

Lopez failed to take advantage of seven break points during the match. He had the first two early in the first set at 2-2, sending the ball into the net and allowing Djokovic to win the game with an ace and a deep forehand into the corner.

Lopez had another chance to break in the first set at 4-4 but sent the ball out, before Djokovic comfortably won the tiebreaker.

“I had a dream last night that I will be a hero and the first to beat him this year, but I realized it was very hard,” Lopez said.

Djokovic broke twice in the second set and conceded no points in the final game.

At 1-1, Djokovic fell face down after chasing a forehand by Lopez but was not hurt. Lopez had a chance to break at 3-2 in the second set but sent the ball into the net.

Djokovic has had the best start to an ATP tour season since Ivan Lendl in 1986.