Novak Djokovic vs. James Ward: Score and Reaction from 2016 Wimbledon

Novak Djokovic cruised past Great Britain's James Ward in the first round at Wimbledon on Monday, winning 6-0, 7-6 (3), 6-4 on Centre Court.

The world No. 1 breezed through the first set in less than 30 minutes and took a quick 3-0 lead in the second, but the unheralded Ward battled back to force an unlikely tiebreak.

Djokovic's class showed in that tiebreak, as he easily took it by a score of 7-3 before claiming the final set relatively comfortably.

As shared by NFL Live's Trey Wingo, the defending champion didn't hide the fact he felt pressure at the prospect of achieving a calendar-year Grand Slam before his opening match:

Ward advanced to the third round of Wimbledon last year, but there were few fans or pundits who gave him any chance of troubling Djokovic, who served out the opening game without dropping a point to set the tone.

The Serb earned a quick break chance in the second game and eventually broke serve after some resistance from Ward, who proved a handful early. The Englishman battled to no less than four break chances in the third game, but Djokovic showed his class every time he had to, grabbing a 3-0 lead.

Alastair Grant/Associated Press

Tennis writer Chris Goldsmith explained the enormous challenge Ward faced with this bit of trivia:

The local favourite was unable to capitalise on the unexpected momentum of the third game, as Djokovic found his range with his groundstrokes and started to dominate from the baseline. Ward played a little too conservatively, but he didn't stand a chance in the rallies, regardless.

In no time, the Djoker ran out to a 5-0 lead, and while Ward mustered a few looks and game points, a first-set bagel was inevitable. Live Tennis thought the world No. 1 played up to his usual standards:

"

Flat after Paris? Yeah ... not so much. #Djokovic up 6-0. Watch & bet on tennis at https://t.co/txueA5D56r pic.twitter.com/DkmsZesDEI

— Live Tennis (@livetennis) June 27, 2016"

The second set didn't see any changes to the pattern early, as the Serb once again easily held serve and immediately broke to grab control once again. Ward couldn't deal with the depth of Djokovic's returns, although he finally won his first game in the fourth, putting himself on the board with an ace.

As shared by tennis writer Dan King, the underdog had an appropriate reaction to the point:

But Centre Court truly came alive in the following game, as Ward again ran out to a 40-0 lead thanks to some sloppy play from Djokovic, and this time, he held his ground, as Djokovic put a routine forehand into the net.

Live Tennis couldn't believe it:

"

In a slightly unbelievable turn of events, #Ward breaks #Djokovic's serve. And celebrates thusly. pic.twitter.com/7NRfFL6dQz

— Live Tennis (@livetennis) June 27, 2016"

Ward held serve to tie things up at 3-3, using several drop shots to shake Djokovic's balance, but the defending champion soon adjusted to the tactical change. He failed to convert three break chances in the eighth game, however, and frustration appeared to set in.

Djokovic's strong return game was largely negated by Ward's excellent first serve, which he used to devastating effect to get out of a 30-15 hole while serving to stay in the set. 

ADRIAN DENNIS/Getty Images

Momentum had shifted completely, with Djokovic now making one unforced error after the other. Ward got lucky at the right times as well: A net ball on deuce in the 11th game just trickled over on the right side, giving him another break chance. 

BBC Radio 5 Live's David Law could tell Ward was starting to get to Djokovic:

The Serb kept his composure at key moments, however, erasing three break points in the 11th game. 

Ward forced an unlikely tiebreak with several strong serves, but the Serb grabbed the early mini-break and ran out to a 5-1 lead. He ended up with four set points, and Ward badly overhit a backhand on the second, undoing all of the hard work of that set.

Per Live Tennis, it was perhaps inevitable:

"

SET #Djokovic! Leads 6-0, 7-6(3). A slight hiccup but when it comes down to it, the world no. 1 is the world no. 1. pic.twitter.com/3vQovNffBM

— Live Tennis (@livetennis) June 27, 2016"

Ward started the third set by holding serve to show his resurgence was no fluke, but Djokovic recovered well from his earlier blip, producing some fantastic tennis to hold serve and force a break in the following game.

The break of serve seemed to dent Ward's confidence, as he hit three unforced errors in the next game and never fully recovered.

He did well to hold serve after a lengthy battle in the fifth game, but despite battling to deuce at 4-3 down, he was unable to grab the break he needed to level the scores, ultimately allowing Djokovic to serve out the match.

Per BBC Sport, the Djoker was pleased with his showing:

"

James was serving with a lot of precision and it was not easy to break his serve.

There is not really not much to say about the first nine games—it was flawless.

I felt great and nerves kicked in for James. He started playing better in the second set and it got close—it was solid performance from me, though.

"

Djokovic will face France's Adrian Mannarino in the second round after the world No. 55 beat local favourite Kyle Edmund in three sets on Monday. Mannarino hasn't made it out of the second round of Wimbledon since 2013, when he recorded his best-ever result in a Grand Slam by advancing to the fourth round.