World No. 3 Novak Djokovic reached the third round with a 7-6(2), 7-6(2) victory in one hour and 54 minutes over Italian Simone Bolelli.

Djokovic, who said last week it would take too long to explain what had been affecting his recent form, almost went a break down in the first set and had to recover from 2-4 down in the second before beating Italian Simone Bolelli.

"I didn't play at my top level," said Djokovic, who lost his serve twice in the second set and had to save 10 break points.


"I had ups and downs with the serve, which I really need to try to be as consistent as I can and to have a high percentage of the first serve," said Djokovic, who saved 10 of 12 break points in the match. "It's important in the matches like this and tournaments like this. This is what actually I didn't do well in Toronto's quarterfinal. I didn't serve well, and that causes a negative outcome and a loss against Murray."

Djokovic improved his match record to 41-10 on the season, including 20-5 on hard courts with the victory. He will next face another Italian, Andreas Seppi, who came back to beat Czech Republic's Tomas Berdych 5-7, 7-5, 7-5.


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(source Sky Sports, photo/Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Novak Djokovic fights into third round in Cincinnati