Djokovic cruises past hapless Souza

Top seed and 2011 champion Novak Djokovic brushed aside Brazil’s Joao Souza 6-1 6-1 6-1 to reach the US Open second round on Monday.

Djokovic, bidding for his third Grand Slam title of the year and 10th of his career, needed just 71 minutes to set up a clash with either Vasek Pospisil of Canada or Austria’s Andreas Haider-Maurer in the next round.

Souza, the world No.89, has now lost all seven matches he has played at the Grand Slam level.

Djokovic has now won 39 successive first round matches at the majors and the 28-year-old has probably not had an easier opener than Monday’s triumph.

He hit 24 winners, carved out seven breaks and gave up just seven unforced errors.

“I hope I can keep playing this way and if I can then I have a chance of beating anybody,” he said.

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