Novak Djokovic’s left shoulder responded and the world number 1, who had not played since his retirement in the round of 16 at the US Open, beat Australian Alexey Popyrin (94th), in the first round of the ATP 500 Tournament in Tokyo.
The Serbian needed an hour and a half to win 6-4 and 6-2. In the second round he will play with the Japanese Go Soeda (133º).
Djokovic could lose the place of world number 1 in this season finale. Rafael Nadal, winner of the US Open and second in the ATP, is just over 600 points behind the Serbian.
The Spaniard does not play this week, but he is registered for the Masters 1000 in Shanghai, next.
Djokovic became the third player in history on Monday with the most weeks at the world number 1, 271, surpassing Ivan Lendl (270), but still behind Pete Sampras (286) and Roger Federer (310).
After initially hinting that he would have to undergo surgery to heal his left shoulder injury, Djokovic did not need to be operated on.
This Tuesday he was dominating on the court, he did not concede a single break ball, in addition to being satisfied with being in Japan, where he had never played a tournament.
“I hope to go one step further in Japan. I still feel young, in my body and in my spirit, also motivated to do well on the court, ”said the 32-year-old.
In the other matches of the day, the defeat of the Argentine Juan Ignacio Londero against the Australian Jordan Thompson stood out; 6-3, 3-6 and 6-3, and that of the Spanish Pablo Andújar against the French Gilles Simon, 6-4 and 6-0.
The Tokyo Tournament is played on hard surfaces and distributes $ 1,895,290 in prizes.
– Results of the day:
– Men’s Individual – First round:
Novak Djokovic (SRB / N.1) defeated Alexei Popyrin (AUS) 6-4, 6-2
Denis Shapovalov (CAN) bt Miomir Kecmanovic (SRB) 6-4, 6-4
Reilly Opelka (USA) bt Taylor Fritz (USA / N.7) 6-3, 6-4
Gilles Simon (FRA) to Pablo Andújar (ESP) 6-4, 6-0
Radu Albot (MDA) bt Filip Krajinovic (SRB) 6-3, 7-5
Yasutaka Uchiyama (JPN) to Benoît Paire (FRA / N.4) 6-2, 6-2
Jordan Thompson (AUS) to Juan Ignacio Londero (ARG) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
Taro Daniel (JPN) to Borna Coric (CRO / N.2) 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7/5). AFP