Novak Djokovic breezes into third round at Wimbledon

Second-seeded Novak Djokovic continued in his bid to win his fourth Wimbledon title by breezing to a 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 victory over Czech Adam Pavlasek on Thursday in a second-round match at the All England Club in London.

Djokovic, who won the Wimbledon title in 2011, 2014 and 2015, is bidding for his first major title since completing a career Grand Slam at the 2016 French Open.

"It was my first match this year on Court No. 1, so it was quite different from 2016," said Djokovic, who recorded 33 of 41 first-service points. "It was a warm and hot day, so it wasn't easy to play point after point and long rallies especially in the second set.

"I feel better as the days go by and I will use my experience to get myself ready for the rounds ahead."

The Serb will face Latvian Ernests Gulbis, who posted a 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (3) triumph over 29th-seeded Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina.

No. 13 Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria cruised into the third round with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 victory over Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis.

No. 15 Frenchman Gael Monfils posted a 7-6 (1), 6-4, 6-4 victory over Britain's Kyle Edmund.

German Mischa Zverev, who is seeded 27th, was pushed to the limit before recording a 6-1, 6-2, 2-6, 3-6, 6-4 win over Russian Mikhail Kukushkin.

American John Isner was bounced from the tournament as the No. 23 seed lost to Israel's Dudi Sela 6-7 (5), 7-6 (5), 5-7, 7-6 (5), 6-3. Isner fell to 4-15 in five-set matches since his famed 2010 first-round match at Wimbledon that ended 70-68 in the final set.

Spaniard David Ferrer reached Wimbledon's third round for the first time since 2013 when his opponent, Steve Darcis of Belgium, retired with a back injury while trailing 3-0. Ferrer was a quarterfinalist at Wimbledon in 2012 and 2013.