Djokovic begins with a win in Eastbourne

After a rain-affected start to his tournament, Novak Djokovic has moved through to the quarterfinals of the Aegon International Eastbourne after beating Vasek Pospisil.

The Serb and the Canadian hit up yesterday at Devonshire Park and played a few minutes of their second-round match before rain tumbled for the rest of the day, preventing any more play.

But when the match resumed on Tuesday, Djokovic was business-like in a 6-4 6-3 over the qualifier, whose most notable result in 2017 was a stunning win over world No.1 Andy Murray at Indian Wells.

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“I’m glad that I came here to Eastbourne,” said Djokovic, in his first appearance at a grasscourt tune-up event ahead of Wimbledon in seven years.

“I have had a great couple of days of training with good players, different styles of game. I felt good on the court, considering it’s the first match. I have played against an opponent that has a really good game for grass. It was a really, really solid win, I’m happy with it.

“I think the first thing I’m looking for is to experience that match play. Mentally, physically, tactically, every way you look at it.

“The movement (on grass) is very different from clay or hard court. You’ve got to be very soft, very gentle, but yet very reactive.”

Djokovic next faces Donald Young, who beat fellow American Jared Donaldson 6-4 7-5 to reach the last eight at the ATP 250-level tournament.

Also advancing on Wednesday were No.7 seed Richard Gasquet and young Russian Daniil Medvedev, who is 7-2 on grass this year after also reaching quarterfinals in ‘s-Hertogenbosch and at Queen’s.