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MADRID: Wary top seed Novak Djokovic said Monday he hoped that playthis week on the untried blue clay laid down for the Madrid Masterswill be injury-free as the controversial surface gets a test underbattle conditions. The world number one also fired a shot across the bow of the ATP,which agreed to the one-year experiment without informing players,a coup quietly pushed through without executive oversight by formerboss Adam Helfant, who left at the end of 2011. "The hope of allplayers is that we won't have injuries and have a decent week oftennis," said Djokovic, who skipped the ATP event in Belgrade lastweek after the death of his grandfather during the Monte CarloMasters. Serb Djokovic played through his emotional pain and reached theMonte Carlo final, where he was crushed by Rafael Nadal. "The blue clay surface makes this year different," said the 2011Madrid champion. "It is the first time in history. It will beinteresting for everyone to see what happens. "There is a certain difference compared to red clay, but we have it(blue) in front of us. I tried to prepare for it as well as Icould. But it's the same for everyone." Djokovic joined with Nadal in criticising ATP executives who didn'tbother to consult with at least their top-shelf players. "The only disappointing thing from a player standpoint is that itwas decided without players agreeing to it," said the Serb."Players should be agreeing to the change - there should be somevalue in what they say. "I'm not blaming the tournament, it is fighting for its owninterests. But the ATP should have done a better job on playerrights in protecting what the players want." The proposal from larger-than-life billionaire Madrid impresarioIon Tiriac is on a one-year trial, with the event saying itspurpose is to help spectators see the yellow ball more clearly onthe blue surface. On court, women's holder Petra Kvitova kick-started her titledefence with a 6-2, 6-3 defeat of New Zealand's Marina Erakovic. The third-seeded Wimbledon champion, who defeated Victoria Azarenkain straight sets to lift the 2011 trophy, went through into thesecond round in 67 minutes, firing five acres and producing 28winners. Erakovic, the number 39 who has lifted her game in recent monthswith a Memphis final and semi-final showing last week on clay inBudapest, was broken five times. American Serena Williams, the former number one now seeded ninth,started out with a victory over Russian Elena Vesnina 6-3, 6-1which began at the early hour of 11 am. "I always hate the early starts," said the 30-year-old Williams. The 30-year-old has picked up her pace in recent months, reaching aMiami quarter-final, winning the title in Charleston and travellingto the Ukraine for Fed Cup to ensure London Olympics eligibility. Elsewhere, Czech Andrea Hlavackova out Australian AnastasiaRodionova 6-1, 6-4 while Lucie Hradecka beat China's Peng Shuai6-4, 5-7, 6-4. In men's play, Russian Mikhail Youzhny defeated local wild cardJavier Marti 6-3, 6-2 and Serb Viktor Troicki out American DonaldYoung 6-1, 4-6, 6-1. - AFP/fa. I am an expert from securitysealsplastic.com, while we provides the quality product, such as Wire Security Seals Manufacturer , High Security Bolt Seals Manufacturer, Wire Security Seals,and more.
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