Tennis: Spotlight set to intensify with Djokovic hitting straps

Novak Djokovic is on track for a potential quarter-final against rising star Dominic Thiem. Photo / AFLO

Rarely can a 12-time grand slam champion come into a tournament as under the radar as Novak Djokovic. With all the focus that is paid to defending champion Andy Murray as well as the renaissance of the grand masters Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, Djokovic has largely escaped the spotlight.

That will soon start to change. After his first-round match was curtailed by the retirement of opponent Martin Klizan, Djokovic yesterday delivered a clinical performance in his 6-2 6-2 6-1 dismissal of Adam Pavlasek.

Following his victory at Eastbourne - his first title since the first week of January - this was a further demonstration that the Wimbledon men's No2 seed has rediscovered his very best form on grass, albeit against limited opposition.

His touch at the net was especially assured. No matter what angle or speed Pavlasek employed, Djokovic found a way to cushion his volleys so they stopped stone-dead the other side of the net.

One forehand in particular in the fourth game of the second set off a vicious Pavlasek backhand was particularly breathtaking.

It was not quite a perfect afternoon. Djokovic looked disgusted when he was given a time violation by the umpire in the third set which immediately led him to conceding his only break point of the match.

Afterwards he was seen exchanging a couple of choice words with occupants of Pavlasek's box. For a Buddhist, Djokovic can be remarkably quick to anger.

The writing was on the wall as soon as Djokovic broke Pavlasek in the opening game of the match.

The crowd on a parched No1 Court did their best to lift the world No136 and the 22-year-old contributed to some highly entertaining rallies.

Sliced backhand exchanges were a particular theme.

Yet there is only so far that a player who had not won a single match on tour this year can be lifted. Eventually Djokovic would tire of the rallies and administer a booming forehand or, more commonly, a deft volley at the net to end proceedings.

A greater test of his capabilities will arrive in the next round where he will face the winner of Juan Martin del Potro or Ernests Gublis - both in possession of significantly greater arsenals. Expect his tally of 26 winners to 18 unforced errors to improve with the arrival of quality opposition.

"We've had a couple of great matches on grass down the years and Delpo is a very tricky player to play against," Djokovic said.

"Especially on grass, his forehand is one of the most lethal shots we have in the sport. I'll try to prepare myself well and get in the best shape."

The eye cannot help but be drawn to the later stages of the draw where a potential quarter-final against rising star Dominic Thiem and a mouthwatering semifinal against Federer await. This performance should put the rest of the field on notice. A 13th grand slam in what is supposed to be his annus horribilis would be quite the feat.