NOVAK DJOKOVIC LOSES IN TOKYO DOUBLES IN RETURN FROM SHOULDER INJURY
TOKYO (AP) — Novak Djokovic’s return from injury had a stuttering start at the Japan Open, with defeat Monday in the opening round of doubles. Yet for the No. 1-ranked Djokovic, playing at the tournament for the first time, the result was less important than emerging from the match unscathed. Djokovic had not played since retiring with an injured left shoulder in his U.S. Open fourth-round match against Stan Wawrinka, who was leading 6-4, 7-5, 2-1. The fourth-seeded pair of Mate Pavic and Bruno Soares beat a rusty Djokovic and Filip Krajinovic 6-2, 4-6, 10-4 in sweltering heat on the Colosseum show court at a revamped Ariake Tennis Forest Park. The venue will stage the Olympic tennis tournament next year. “One of the reasons for playing the doubles was that I wanted to see how the shoulder feels during match play,” Djokovic said. “Obviously, doubles are quite different from singles, but you’re still playing an official match — you still get the nerves, and have to battle in the court. “There was a lot of serving and returning, slow balls and fastballs, but it seems like my shoulder is fine after that, so I’m hoping…