NOVAK DJOKOVIC raced to a 6-0, 3-0 lead, then held firm the rest of the way as he opened his bid for a third straight Wimbledon title and fifth straight Grand Slam championship with a straight-sets win over Britain’s James Ward on Monday.

    In keeping with tradition, Djokovic played the first match on Center Court as the men’s defending champion, and he came through 6-0, 7-6 (3), 6-4 in just over two hours to extend his Grand Slam winning streak to 29 matches.

    “This is probably the most unique experience in tennis playing as the defending champion in Wimbledon — untouched grass, first match, 1 o’clock Monday,” he said. “It’s really special to feel this tradition and history, to come back to the cradle of our sport. It was a wonderful experience.”

    Djokovic holds all four Grand Slam titles. Having won the Australian Open and French Open, he’s also seeking to become the first man to capture the first three legs of a calendar-year Grand Slam since Rod Laver swept all four majors in 1969.

    Djokovic looked right back at home Monday as he ran off the first nine games against Ward, ranked 177th and granted a wild-card entry into the grasscourt slam at London’s All England Club.

    Five-time women’s champion Venus Williams, meanwhile, had a stiffer test, overcoming Donna Vekic of Croatia 7-6 (3), 6-4, in the opening match.(SD-Agencies)