Djokovic starts Rome campaign on winning note

ROME: Two-tme Rome masters champion Novak Djokovic began his campaign for a hat-trick trophy with a 70-minute, 6-2, 6-3 win over Albert Montanes which was wrapped up with an ace.

The Serb was all smiles as he got the job done in his second-round start after a bye after losing a week ago in his opening match in Madrid to Grigor Dimitrov.

The Bulgarian threat was knocked out earlier by French ninth seed Richard Gasquet 6-4, 6-4.

Rafael Nadal began building for what he hopes will be a lucky seventh title at the Foro Italico after winning Madrid, his fifth title of a season which only began for him in February as he returned following seven months of knee injury absence. "It's a little different here with the (lower) altitude. Playing three Masters 1000s (form Monte Carlo a month ago) is difficult when you are in the final rounds. "There is no time to prepare the next tournament. I arrived on Monday and I'm here to try my best."

Djokovic wasted no time in his victory as he tries to finally rid himself of ankle problems which have bothered him for a month.

The top seed improved to 23-4 in Rome, where he won 2008 and 2011 titles. (AFP)