Djokovic rolls along in Beijing

Published February 05, 2015

Beijing, China (SportsNetwork.com) - Novak Djokovic improved to 21-0 lifetime in Beijing with a second-round victory Wednesday at the $2.5 million China Open.

The world No. 1 star handled Canadian Vasek Pospisil 6-3, 7-5 under the roof on Centre Court on a cold, rainy day at Beijing Olympic Green Tennis Center.

With his wife, Jelena Ristic, preparing to give birth to the couple's first child in about a month, Djokovic said he is focused on his goal of finishing atop the rankings for the third time in four years.

"It's definitely always the highest priority out there with winning Grand Slams," Djokovic said. "That gives me plenty of motivation. It would mean, of course, a lot to me. That's why I'm out here in Beijing and (next week in) Shanghai, competing and trying to get that year-end No. 1."

Djokovic is a four-time champion here. He beat Rafael Nadal in last year's final for a second straight Beijing title.

Also on Day 3, eighth-seeded American John Isner fired 16 aces in outlasting 2007 China Open runner-up Tommy Robredo of Spain 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7-4).

Inclement weather forced the postponement of two second-rounders on Wednesday, as third-seeded 2011 China Open champ Tomas Berdych was scheduled to meet Serbian wild card Viktor Troicki and fifth-seeded Grigor Dimitrov was slated to take on Pablo Andujar. Those matches will now be played as part of Thursday's schedule.

Also on Thursday, the second-seeded former world No. 1 Nadal will face German qualifier Peter Gojowczyk, fourth-seeded U.S. Open champ Marin Cilic will tangle with Portuguese Joao Sousa and sixth-seeded Andy Murray will meet Uruguay's Pablo Cuevas. Murray captured his first title in 15 months with a victory in Shenzhen, China, last week. The 2005 China Open champ Nadal captured an Olympic gold medal on the hardcourts in Beijing in 2008. Cilic is a two-time China Open runner-up.

The 2014 Beijing champion will collect $604,000.

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