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Playing his first singles match since the US Open, world No. 1 Novak Djokovic confidently won his Tokyo debut on Tuesday. Djokovic dispatched qualifier Alexei Popyrin, 6-4, 6-2, in 88 minutes to open his title campaign at the ATP 500 tournament.

Djokovic, who retired in the third set of his fourth-round encounter with Stan Wawrinka in New York due to a left shoulder injury, appeared comfortable and pain free against Popyrin. The top seed did not face a break point and enjoyed a 76 percent success rate on serve to claim the first-time meeting on Colosseum Court.

Djokovic cruises on Tokyo debut in first singles match since US Open

Djokovic cruises on Tokyo debut in first singles match since US Open

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This week, the Serbian opted trade in his undefeated reign in Beijing—where he won six titles—for a new experience in Tokyo. The same venue is slated to host the 2020 Olympics next year and a gold medal is the one coveted title missing from Djokovic’s collection.

The 32-year-old took the court for the second day in a row, having lost his doubles opener with compatriot Filip Krajinovic to Mate Pavic and Bruno Soares. Djokovic will make it three straight days when he plays wild card Go Soeda Wednesday.

In earlier matches, a pair of local stars wowed their home crowd. Wild card Taro Daniel squeaked past No. 2 seed Borna Coric, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (5) and qualifier Yasutaka Uchiyama took down No. 4 seed Benoit Paire, 6-2, 6-2. Seventh seed Taylor Fritz was also sent packing in the first round after being eliminated by good friend Reilly Opelka, 6-3, 6-4.

Djokovic cruises on Tokyo debut in first singles match since US Open

Djokovic cruises on Tokyo debut in first singles match since US Open