Rome (AFP)

Novak Djokovic, for his return to competition after his disqualification at the US Open for a gesture of humor, displayed an unfailing serenity to dispose of the Italian Salvatore Caruso (6-3, 6-2) Wednesday in the 2nd Masters 1000 round in Rome.

Ten days after the New York episode, "I had no psychic or emotional block to playing a game today. On the contrary, I felt very comfortable, everything was very good. ", assured the world No. 1 at a press conference.

"In fact, I was looking forward to making an official game again after what happened in New York," he added.

Fair play, solid, player, "Djoko", who assured Monday to have learned the "lesson" after his elimination for having involuntarily thrown a ball at a linesman, was obviously keen to show his best face for his debut at Rome.

Mischievous, once the qualification in his pocket, he greeted an imaginary crowd facing the empty stands of the central court because of health measures.

In redemption operation after the New York episode, the "Djoker" was more gentleman than ever, with the referee when he got down from his chair to take away a point he thought he had obtained, as with his opponent which he gave with a thumbs-up after a good race.

Only one of the few spectators, a member of the organization a little too noisy in the stand, will make him a little annoyed at the start of the second set, when he had just wasted several break points.

"It's just someone in a hallway of the stadium talking, with five, six people. There was noise, but that's it," he explained after the match.

In the game, Djokovic continued in the lineage of the United States, where he won the Cincinnati Masters 1000 and was a favorite at the US Open before he left the road.

A strong serve, a tight game close to the lines and steel nerves at the important moments.

"I had a difficult opponent, specialist in clay, who had already played three matches. We had to deserve the victory, I think I adapted quickly enough on the surface," he said.

"Since my early elimination at the US Open, I have had time to train. I've been training on clay for a week, so it's fine," said the Serbian who was exempt from the first round in Rome, like all the top eight seeds.

The native of Belgrade, who played nine finals in Rome (for four titles), will meet in the third round his compatriot Filip Krajinovic (29th world) or the Italian Marco Cecchinato (113th).

© 2020 AFP