Djokovic beats Hijikata to advance to Brisbane second round

BRISBANE - Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic is through to the second round of the men's singles event at the Brisbane ATP tournament after beating world number 73 Rinky Hijikata of Australia 6-3, 6-3 on Tuesday.

Djokovic, who ranks seventh in the ATP rankings, won after an hour and 15 minutes of play.

He will next face Frenchman Gael Monfils, who defeated American Nishesh Basavareddy 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 in the opening round.

The prize money in Brisbane is 766,290 US dollars.