MONACO (AP) Novak Djokovic got his clay-court season off to a winning start with a 6-1, 6-4 win against Andreas Seppi in the second round of the Monte Carlo Masters on Wednesday.
The top-ranked Djokovic took a 4-0 lead after 19 minutes before Seppi rallied in the second set. But Djokovic closed out the match on serve to improve to 7-0 against Seppi.
``I haven't played a match on a clay court since Roland Garros last year, so I'm happy with how I played,'' Djokovic said.
The Australian Open champion next plays Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine, who had 11 aces in his 6-2, 5-7, 6-1 win against Australian Bernard Tomic.
Djokovic says to ``expect the unexpected'' with Dolgopolov.
He's a very talented player, comes up with some shots that are not really typical for a tennis player,'' Djokovic said.He comes up with some drop shots, changes the pace very much. That's why he's very dangerous on clay.''
The 23-year-old Dolgopolov is confident of causing an upset. Although he lost in straight sets to Djokovic in the fourth round of last year's US Open, the Serb had to work hard to take a tight first set 7-6 (14).
After that, I think I can compete with him,'' Dolgopolov said.I mean, he's No. 1, I'm No. 21. Obviously, he's higher in the ranking. He's playing more consistent. But I think I have my chances.''
Later, Rafael Nadal began his bid for an eighth straight Monte Carlo title against Finnish veteran Jarkko Nieminen.
The Spaniard has not won a title since last year's French Open, and has lost seven straight tournament finals to Djokovic.
Also, Gilles Simon of France beat Frederico Gil of Portugal 6-3, 6-0 and awaited seventh-seeded Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia or Albert Montanes of Spain. Frenchman Julien Benneteau will play Andy Murray in the third round after beating Jurgen Melzer of Austria 6-4, 6-3.