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Novak Djokovic swats aside Ito to reach Australian Open third round

Japanese wildcard Tatsuma Ito proves no match for reigning champion in Melbourne

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic on day three of the Australian Open in Melbourne. Photograph: Getty Images
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic on day three of the Australian Open in Melbourne. Photograph: Getty Images
Wed Jan 22 2020 - 07:20

Defending champion Novak Djokovic despatched Japanese wildcard Tatsuma Ito 6-1 6-4 6-2 to reach the third round of the Australian Open on Wednesday.

The world number two Serb, who struggled through a four-set grind against unseeded German Jan-Lennard Struff in his opener, was back to his imperious best as he fired down 16 aces and racked up 31 winners at a gusty Rod Laver Arena.

Chasing a record-extending eighth title at Melbourne Park, Djokovic finished off with a slew of thumping serves, sealing the match when a scrambling Ito thudded a shot into the net.

Djokovic will meet another Japanese player in Yoshihito Nishioka, who knocked out British 30th seed Dan Evans in straight sets, for a place in the fourth round.