Djokovic routs Harrison in Cincinnati

The Serb is now 54-1 in singles matches this season.

CINCINNATI: World number one Novak Djokovic barely broke a sweat as he routed American Ryan Harrison 6-2, 6-3 to breeze into the third round of the ATP and WTA hardcourt tournament.

The Serb, and reigning Wimbledon champion, continued his near perfect summer of tennis and is now 54-1 in singles matches this season.

“I was happy with the way I played so overall it has been a good performance,” said Djokovic who won in Montreal last week for his ninth career singles title. “I am a more confident player now and I have more belief that I can win the big matches. “

In other matches involving top-seeded men on Wednesday, Britain’s Andy Murray defeated Argentina’s David Nalbandian, 6-4, 6-1 and second-seed Rafael Nadal beat qualifier Julien Benneteau 6-4, 7-5.

On the women’s side, top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki was upset for the second straight week, losing to unheralded American Christine McHale 6-4, 7-5, while American veteran Serena Williams withdrew from the tournament ahead of her second-round match due to a foot problem.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 19^th, 2011.