Novak Djokovic stretched his unbeaten run for the year to 33 matches after crushing Polish qualifier Lukasz Kubot 6-0 6-3 with an imperious display in the second round of the Rome Masters on Wednesday.
The world number two, who beat Rafa Nadal to win the Madrid Masters and claim his sixth title of the year, was hardly made to sweat in the first set as he tormented his opponent with a series of flashing forehand and backhand winners.
He even had luck on his side when he earned a break at the start of the second set with a netcord but Kubot, ranked 141 in the world, finally registered on the scoreboard in the 10th game, raising his arms aloft to cheers from the crowd in the Foro Italico.
Djokovic’s victory was never in doubt, however, as he marched on towards John McEnroe’s record 42-match winning run from the start of a season in 1984.
The Serb, who will replace Nadal as world number one if he wins in Rome and the Spaniard fails to make the semi-finals, was joined in the third round by Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela who defeated Frenchman Giles Simon 6-4 6-2.
