ROME: Defending champion Novak Djokovic scraped over his first hurdle at the Rome Masters with a 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-3 victory over Spanish claycourt specialist Nicolas Almagro on Tuesday.
The world number one, given a bye into the second round, was in total control as he swept through the opening set at the Foro Italico, but the aggressive Almagro settled down to his task and made the Serb work hard for an 18th consecutive Tour victory.
Djokovic looked poised for victory when he built a 5-2 lead in the tiebreak but Almagro fought back and when Djokovic netted a tame forehand at 5-5 Almagro seized his chance, clinching the second set with a powerful first serve.
Almagro, who missed the second half of last year after foot surgery and has slipped to 174th in the rankings, continued to worry Djokovic but in the end the defending champion emerged winner. (Agencies)
