Novak Djokovic

Defending champion Novak Djokovic made a sticky return to action before recovering from losing the opening four games to beat Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff at the Qatar Open on Monday.

Djokovic, who was deposed as world number one by Andy Murray at the back end of last year and split with coach Boris Becker, eventually snapped into his usual rhythm.

He went on to win 7-6(1) 6-3.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Serbian will now play either Florian Mayer of Germany or Argentine Horacio Zeballos in the second round.

“It’s the first match of the year. You never know how you’re going to start,” Djokovic was quoted as saying on the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) website.

“I was a bit flat on my feet. But I stayed composed because I knew, I believed that I could find the rhythm, start reading his serve better, and that’s what happened.

“I know that I can’t be at my top the very first match, but I believe that the process is right.’’

Murray, who lost a first-round doubles match with Mariusz Fyrstenberg on Monday, plays Frenchman Jeremy Chardy on Tuesday.

–NAN