Champion Djokovic cruises in U.S. opener

Story highlights

World No. 2 Novak Djokovic cruises into second round of U.S. Open

Fifth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga advances with easy win over Karol Beck

Tomas Berdych faces 18 break points, but advances to second round

Former champion Andy Roddick beats fellow American Rhyne Williams

CNN  — 

Novak Djokovic made an imperious start to the defense of his U.S. Open title, winning his opening match in only 73 minutes.

The world No. 2 thrashed 69th-ranked Italian Paolo Lorenzi 6-1 6-0 6-1 on Tuesday, winning 12 games in a row after being broken in his opening service game by the 30-year-old.

The Serbian will next face 112th-ranked Brazilian Rogerio Dutra Silva, who battled through with a five-set win.

“My game was great from the start to the end,” said Djokovic, whose opponent was making his debut in the main draw of the season’s closing grand slam.

“It’s also important for me to try to be as economical with the time I spend on the court as possible, but obviously not underestimating any opponent. I played really focused, tried to get to the net also. It was great all in all.”

French fifth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga also went through to the second round, winning 6-3 6-1 7-6 against Karol Beck to set up a clash with another Slovakian, 52nd-ranked Martin Klizan.

Tsonga won the points on 22 of his 27 net approaches, impressive numbers that will fill him with confidence as he looks to make the most of his highest ever seeding at a grand slam.

“I played good tennis the first two sets, and after that I lost a bit concentration at the beginning of the third set. Then I came back, and, you know, I did some effort to come back,” Tsonga said.

“You know, I play tennis to win big tournaments like this. I mean, since I was a kid I’ve dreamed about it. This is what gives me motivation, to win something like this.”

Czech sixth seed Tomas Berdych battled past 21-year-old Belgian David Goffin 7-5 6-3 6-3 to set up a second-round match against Estonia’s world No. 80 Jurgen Zopp.

The 26-year-old, playing his ninth U.S. Open, has never been past the fourth round in New York – his worst slam record.

He saved 16 of 18 break-points earned by debutant Goffin, who reached the last 16 at the French Open and the third round at Wimbledon this year.

“It’s a good point and good statistic for me,” Berdych told the Open website.

“I think he has a pretty good future ahead of him. If he just going to stay doing what he’s doing, then I think we can see him in the future quite high. For me today it was just more experience.”

Former world No. 1 Andy Roddick enjoyed a comfortable 6-3 6-4 6-4 win over young American qualifier Rhyne Williams to join compatriots Sam Querrey, Mardy Fish, James Blake, Dennis Novikov and 19-year-old Jack Sock in round two.

The 2003 champion fired 20 aces against the 21-year-old debutant, who did not drop a set in qualifying and managed a creditable 30 winners against his seasoned opponent.

“I think if you can win free points off your serve it’s a good start,” 20th seed Roddick said after earning a clash with Australia’s rising star Bernard Tomic. He also praised his coach Larry Stefanki after a difficult season so far..

“As tough as it’s been on me this year it’s been tough on him when I have been hurt the last year and a half,” said Roddick, who turns 30 on Thursday.

“If I can’t train all the time or do what I need to do, it’s a tough ask of him. He’s been very patient and he’s been able to adjust. You know, he’s a very smart tennis mind.”

Canadian 15th seed Milos Raonic struggled into the second round with a five-set win over 46th-ranked Colombian Santiago Giraldo.

The 2011 ATP newcomer of the year was unable to get his dangerous serve working, but survived to earn a clash with experienced Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu.

“I don’t think I struggled with my serve that much a long, long time. A lot of double faults, and it wasn’t just one double fault per game.,” the 21-year-old said.

“I double-faulted consistently a couple times in a row, so that made my job a lot more difficult and it gave him a little bit more freedom at the same time. I managed to sort of make the most of the moment and just find a way to win.”

Juan Monaco was the only seeded player to exit on Tuesday, with the Argentine No. 10 losing a five-set epic against Spain’s Guillermo Garcia-Lopez that lasted four and a half hours.

Garcia-Lopez, who came from two sets down and won the last two in tie-breaks, reached the second round for the fifth year in a row – and faces Italy’s Fabio Fognini as he seeks to get past that stage for the first time.