Djokovic, Osaka Win Miami Openers As Thiem Tumbles

Novak Djokovic put his Indian disappointment behind him on Friday at the ATP and WTA Miami Open with a big 7-6 (7/2) 6-2 destruction of Australian Bernard Tomic to advance into the third round.

The world number one endured a meek exit at the hands of German Philipp Kohlschreiber in the California desert but arrived eager to land what would be a record seventh title in South Florida.

Tomic, the current world No. 81, gave the 31-year-old a though game, yet the Australian struggles to consistently challenge the best players and this was evident once again as Djokovic eased through the gears at Hard Rock Stadium with just one hour and 13 minutes on the clock.

“Everyone has nerves coming onto center court regardless of how much experience you have and what your ranking is. And if you are nervous that means you care.

“I always feel like that. This was my first time playing at this new stadium, it felt like being indoor a little bit. It’s unique.

“Now hopefully,” he added, “I can build some momentum.”

On a day that saw Djokovic, top-ranked woman Naomi Osaka and 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams advance, the shocker of the day was the exit of Indian Wells Masters winner Dominic Thiem, who was beaten 6-4, 6-4 by highly rated Polish 22-year-old Hubert Hurkacz.

Elsewhere, there was a heartbreak for Kei Nishikori. The fifth seed lost to Serbian Dusan Lajovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 but reigning champion John Isner outlasted Italian qualifier Lorenzo Sonego 7-6 (7/2), 7-6, (9/7).

Japanese star Osaka had to keep her emotions in check as she opened her campaign by beating Yanina Wickmayer 6-0, 6-7 (3/7), 6-1.

Since winning her second consecutive Grand Slam title in January at the Australian Open, Osaka has failed to go deep in Dubai or Indian Wells.

But she appeared in great form against 141st-ranked Wickmayer, despite losing her way in the middle of an interesting match at Hard Rock Stadium.

The 21-year-old was forced to dig deep after the Belgian, who reached the Miami Open last eight in 2010, forced the third set as Osaka’s game badly dipped

“In the second set, I was really emotional, so in the third, I just tried to turn off my feelings,” Osaka said. “I was thinking about winning and not the things I could do in order to win. I had a dip and she started playing really well.

“I just had to breathe and regroup,” she said. “I find myself doing it often when I am in emotional situations, it’s like an energy saver.”