Highlights of the story
Novak Djokovic beats Florian Mayer in less than an hour in his first match since Wimbledon
Rafael Nadal also returned at the Rogers Cup, winning his doubles match
Nadal and Andy Murray will play their opening singles matches in Montreal on Wednesday
Venus Williams loses at the women’s event in Toronto after winning the first set 6-0
DailyExpertNews
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Novak Djokovic’s tennis shoes turned into dance shoes when he returned to action at the Rogers Cup.
The world number 1 defeated Germany’s Florian Mayer 6-2 6-1 in less than an hour on Tuesday and danced on center court to Daft Punk’s hit “Get lucky”.
Djokovic hasn’t always had the fans on his side – the crowd was firmly against him at the Madrid Masters in May – but his silky-smooth moves endeared him to Montreal spectators.
Read: Djokovic upset in Madrid
“It was a little deal I had with my friends when we were on vacation a few weeks ago,” Djokovic told the ATP’s website. “We listened to that song a lot.
“We danced a lot. I said, ‘Why not? I’ll do it after my first game in Montreal.’ If I keep winning, I will do it after every game. If I win the next one, you can expect the same song, but maybe a little different dance.”
Djokovic was not the only grand slam winner to contest his first match since Wimbledon. Rafael Nadal, stunned by Belgian Steve Darcis in the opening round of the All England Club, won a doubles thriller with compatriot Pablo Andujar.
Djokovic outperformed Nadal in southwest London, but lost the final to Andy Murray as Great Britain celebrated a first men’s singles winner in 77 years at the tournament.
World No. 50 Mayer fell to 0-12 in sets played against Djokovic.
After Djokovic saved break points in two different games early in the first set, the two-time defending champion in Canada improved his 2013 hard court record to 21-2.
The lone blemish was cautioned by the chair umpire for taking too much time between points.
“As the game progressed, I felt more comfortable on the pitch,” said Djokovic. “That’s something that makes me happy.”
Nadal and Andujar defeated David Ferrer and Feliciano Lopez 6-7 6-1 12-10 in an all-Spanish battle. He starts on Wednesday in the singles against the Canadian Jesse Levine.
Murray opens the game on center court against Spain’s Marcel Granollers, who comes off a clay-court title in Austria.
Read: Murray ends 77 years of British drought
When they last met at the Italian Open in Rome in May, Murray retired with a back injury that later forced him to skip the French Open.
The Scot recovered in time for the grass field campaign, arriving in Montreal after a training block in Miami.
“I will have to be patient with myself, not expect too much, just try to fight for every point,” Murray said on the ATP’s website.
Venus Williams ousted in Toronto
At the Women’s Rogers Cup in Toronto, Venus Williams’ return didn’t last long as she was knocked out by Wimbledon semifinalist Kirsten Flipkens 0-6 6-4 6-2.
Williams missed Wimbledon with her own back injury and has not won a match since April.
“I didn’t expect to play so well in the first set, so I just didn’t handle it well in the second set,” the seven-time Grand Slam champion told the WTA website. “Then I fell in the third.
“I think I just sprayed a few balls and got a little hesitant. I definitely didn’t make the best choices there, but overall it was really nice to be back there.
Williams’ younger sister Serena is the top seed and heavy favorite in Toronto given the injury withdrawals of Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova.
Marion Bartoli will play American qualifier Lauren Davis on Wednesday in her first appearance since her surprise win at Wimbledon.