Novak Djokovic beats Vasek Pospisil at Eastbourne International
Friday 30 June 2017 11:42, UK
Novak Djokovic returned to winning ways at the Aegon International, beating Vasek Pospisil in straight sets to advance to the quarter-final.
The Serb added the Eastbourne event to his schedule when he accepted a wild card last week as he looks to get his season on track having claimed just one title so far.
Pospisil, who has already beaten Andy Murray this season, could have proved an awkward opponent having come through qualifying to take his place in their match which was carried over from Tuesday where only 13 points were possible due to rain.
Former world no 1 Djokovic, who has been seeded second for Wimbledon, needed just 85 minutes to seal a 6-4 6-3 victory at Devonshire Park and a first grass-court victory since his shock second-round defeat to Sam Querrey last season.
Djokovic will play Donald Young in the last eight on Thursday after the American progressed with a 6-4 7-5 victory over Jared Donaldson but it was a frustrating day at Eastbourne for numerous players as rain caused an early abandonment to the day's play.
Only a further five matches were completed leaving the tournament behind schedule going into Thursday.
Mischa Zverev, the number six seed, battled to a 6-4 7-6 (9) victory over America's Ryan Harrison to set up a second round meeting with Australia's Bernard Tomic.
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Daniil Medvedev, who reached the quarter-finals last week at the Queen's club, earned an impressive victory over fifth seed Sam Querrey 6-3 7-5 to book a second round clash with Dutch player Robin Haase.
France's Richard Gasquet had to work hard for a first round three-set victory over Francis Tiafoe eventually winning 5-7 7-6 (4) 6-3 and he will next meet South Africa's big serving Kevin Anderson.
Thomas Fabbiano will meet America's fourth seed Steve Johnson in the second round after the Italian defeated Franko Skugor 7-6 (5) 6-4.
Croatia's Dusan Lajovic will meet third seed John Isner in the second round after he battled past France's Jeremy Chardy 6-4 6-7 (5) 6-3.
