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AFP
Toronto
Novak Djokovic made a winning return on Wednesday in his first match back since a shock third-round defeat at Wimbledon, defeating Gilles Muller in straight sets to advance at the Toronto Masters.
The Serbian world number one took the first step toward a possible 30th career Masters 1000 title as he beat Muller 7-5, 7-6 (7/3) in just under two hours.
Djokovic brings a formidable record back to Canada, winning 18 of 21 matches at the event which alternates between Toronto and Montreal each year. The number one has advanced to the quarter-finals or better in eight of nine years in Canada.
Djokovic stands 47-4 on the season, with six titles. He was beaten a year ago in the Canadian final by Andy Murray.
Japanese third seed Kei Nishikori joined Djokovic as a winner, defeating Dennis Novikov 6-4, 7-5.
Sixth seed Dominic Thiem is heading back to Austria for scans on a troublesome hip after quitting after just 20 minutes in a 4-1 loss to Kevin Anderson.
Belgian seventh seed David Goffin advanced when Sam Querrey stopped while trailing 6-4, 2-1 with back pain.
American Ryan Harrison knocked out ninth-seeded compatriot John Isner 7-6 (7/3), 6-7 (4/7), 6-4 while Australian 12th seed Bernard Tomic advanced past Canadian Steven Diez 6-3, 7-6 (7/4).
French 13th seed Lucas Pouille lost to Rajeev Ram 6-4, 7-6 (7/5).
Venus advances
Venus Williams breezed into the third round of the Rogers Cup in Montreal on Wednesday with a straight sets rout of Barbora Strycova as home hope Eugenie Bouchard upset 11th seed Dominika Cibulkova.
Sixth seed Williams, 36, maintained her 100 percent record over Strycova with a 6-3, 6-0 win.
