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Defending Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic suffered a bizarre injury scare after a faultless straight-sets victory over Italian Andreas Seppi at the Hopman Cup.
The world No 1 was signing autographs when he hurt his leg as local fans pushed towards him and a hoarding toppled over.
Djokovic limped straight up the tunnel to receive a medical assessment in the locker-room. The Serbian was unable to complete a television interview he had agreed to after his 6-3 6-4 victory over Seppi.
His on-court performance had been less stressful as he defeated a plucky opponent who pushed him to the limit in a five-set thriller at the French Open this year.
Djokovic (below) only arrived in Perth from Abu Dhabi on Sunday night and admitted he was troubled by jet lag. "I felt I was dream-walking," he said. "I broke the ice after the first set and started to feel better."
Djokovic and Ana Ivanovic held an unassailable 2-0 lead in the tie against the Italian pairing of Seppi and Francesca Schiavone. Ivanovic began the day by beating Schiavone 6-0 6-4. Djokovic is taking part in the round-robin team event to be guaranteed at least three matches in his build-up to the Australian Open which starts on January 14.
