The win provides Djokovic a constructive file on the clay after struggling early exits in Monte Carlo and Banja Luka, as he's now 3-2 on the filth this season. But he confessed that he nonetheless wasn't the place he needed to be.

"Still not at the desired level, still finding the shots, finding that groove on the court," he defined. "But yeah it’s always a little bit tricky playing someone for the first time. He’s a clay court specialist and he started better than I did.

"I began fairly gradual however I sort of discovered my groove in direction of the tip of the primary. Second set was good particularly the final I'd say three, 4 video games so I’m proud of the way in which I closed out the match."