Novak Djokovic beat Ricardas Berankis 7-6, 6-4 at the Western & Southern Open while Dominic Thiem crashed out.
Nole played with a sore neck and received treatment on court.
"It's getting better," he said. "It's been four days. It's not yet where I'd like it to be but it’s heading in the right direction."
Djokovic twice went down a break in the second set, but broke back both times. He let out a roar when he broke for a 5-4 lead then calmly served it out.
He next faces Tennys Sandgren, who defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-7, 6-2, 7-6.
Filip Krajinovic defeated Dominic Thiem 6-2, 6-1.
"I think I started really well today. I was aggressive and I'm really happy that I'm in the third round," said 32nd-ranked Krajinovic, who dropped just two service points on the way to victory.
Thiem couldn't find his rhythm in his first match since the ATP tour resumed after a five-month coronavirus hiatus.
"It was just a horrible game by myself," Thiem said. Didn't play well at all, didn't get any rhythm.
"I had really troubles with returning."
Krajinovic next plays Marton Fucsovics, who beat Grigor Dimitrov 7-5, 4-6, 6-2.
Photo from Ap
Info from Yahoo
