After Agassi split, Djokovic begins Monte Carlo campaign with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Lajovic

Former world number one Novak Djokovic showed signs of a return to form with a 6-0, 6-1 thrashing of fellow Serb Dusan Lajovic in the Monte Carlo Masters first round on Monday.

It was an impressive performance from the 30-year-old in his first match since splitting from coach Andre Agassi and starting to work again with long-time former coach Marian Vajda.

Djokovic is ranked 13th in the world after lengthy spells off the court with a right elbow injury that he said left him unable to even “impersonate a tennis serve”.

“The pain was a huge factor that was affecting my overall state, my mind,” Djokovic said.

“A lot of things had to be left aside, compensated because the elbow was not healed.

“But today, you know, (I’m) pain-free.”

Djokovic has been training with Vajda for 10 days in the run-up to the tournament, having originally parted ways with the Slovak after last year’s Monte Carlo Masters.

“I’m very happy as he (Vajda) is more than a coach. He’s more like a brother, a father,” he said.

“The reality is I’ve played six or seven matches since July. I’m lacking matches and a bit of confidence on court. But I’m looking ahead.”

First win at regular ATP Tour event

Djokovic dominated from the outset as Lajovic struggled, and despite some nervy moments on serve in the second set, wrapped up victory in under an hour to book a second-round meeting with Borna Coric.

It was the 12-time Grand Slam champion’s first win at a regular ATP Tour event this season, after losing his opening matches in Indian Wells and Miami to Taro Daniel and Benoit Paire respectively.

Djokovic started strongly, dropping only three points on serve as he cruised to a first-set bagel which was sealed with a fierce return winner.

Lajovic had his chances in the second, creating break-point opportunities in three consecutive Djokovic service games as the two-time Monte Carlo champion threw in two double faults.

But the qualifier was unable to make the most of those openings, and Djokovic broke in game four as Lajovic fired wide.

Djokovic had to save two break points when serving for the match, but sealed the win to stay on course for a possible quarter-final meeting with old rival Rafael Nadal.

Nishikori battles past Berdych

Earlier on Monday, Japan’s Kei Nishikori fought back from a set down to see off Czech 12th seed Tomas Berdych and reach the second round.

In a battle of two former Grand Slam finalists, Nishikori raced through the final two sets to progress with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 victory.

The former world number four, who is now ranked 36th, missed a large part of last season with a right wrist injury and started his 2018 campaign in American second-tier Challenger Tour events.

But he was close to his best against Berdych, despite making a slow start and calling for a medical timeout for his troublesome wrist.

“It’s not great but, I mean, first match on clay, you know, I’m expecting (a) little soreness,” said Nishikori.

The 28-year-old, playing in the tournament for the first time in six years, will take on Russian youngster Daniil Medvedev in round two.

Shapovalov loses to Tsitsipas

Elsewhere, American Jared Donaldson launched into an angry tirade at umpire Arnaud Gabas while squaring up to the Frenchman over a line call during his defeat by Albert Ramos-Vinolas.

The 21-year-old petulantly insisted a supervisor was called to check the mark, saying: “I can call the supervisor whenever I want.”

He then sarcastically apologised, saying he was “sorry” to hurt Gabas’ feelings.

Ramos-Vinolas, who lost last year’s final to Nadal, went on to win 6-3, 6-3.

Former Wimbledon runner-up Milos Raonic had to come back from losing the first set to Monegasque wildcard Lucas Catarina, while French veteran Julien Benneteau bowed out of his final appearance in Monaco at the first hurdle with a straight-sets defeat by Coric.

Canadian rising star Denis Shapovalov was dumped out 6-3, 6-4 by Greek youngster Stefanos Tsitsipas, who will face sixth seed David Goffin in round two.