toronto, july 23: World number three Novak Djokovic opened the defence of his Toronto Masters title in impressive style with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Canadian Frank Dancevic on Tuesday.

The Australian Open champion was joined in the third round by sixth seeded American Andy Roddick, who launched his hardcourt campaign earlier in the day with a battling 6-1, 6-7, 6-3 win over Frenchman Nicolas Mahut.

Playing in his first event since a second-round loss to Marat Safin at Wimbledon, Djokovic took a little time to shake off the rust but soon got into his stride and broke Dancevic to take the opening set.

The 21-year-old Serb recorded an early break in the second to push 4-2 ahead but then wobbled as Dancevic, urged on by a raucous home crowd, staged a late rally by breaking back and holding serve.

But Djokovic responded with another decisive break to seal the match in 77 minutes.

“I was aware he had nothing to lose, the big Canadian hope playing in front of his crowd with big support,” said Djokovic.

Roddick, also back in action for the first time since a second round loss at Wimbledon, swept through the first set but was unable to sustain the momentum in the second.

Sania-Mattek in quarters

Los Angeles: Sania Mirza and Bethanie Mattek reached the quarter-finals of the East West Bank Classic tournament after defeating Vania King and Alla Kudryavtseva. The second seeded pair pipped the American-Russian duo 6-3, 6-4 and next face the Russian pair of Elena Versina and Vera Zvonareva.

Meanwhile, second-seeded Serena Williams lost her fitness battle yesterday, withdrawing from the tournament because of a sore knee.

“I’ve been getting intensive therapy and doing everything in my power to get my knee in shape for this week, waiting until the last possible moment to see if I could play,” she said.