Novak Djokovic eased into round three of the Mutua Madrid Open after beating Croatian teenager Borna Coric ©Getty Images

Novak Djokovic eased into round three of the Mutua Madrid Open after beating Croatian teenager Borna Coric in his first appearance since suffering an early exit from last month’s Monte Carlo Masters.

The Serbian top seed, who lost against Czech Republic’s Jiri Vesely in Monte Carlo, was too strong for his 19-year-old opponent and came out a comfortable 6-2, 6-4 winner in an hour and 18 minutes.

Victory for the world number one sets up a last-16 meeting tomorrow with Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut, who beat compatriot Feliciano López 6-3, 5-7, 7-5.

The biggest surprise of the day in the men’s draw saw fourth seed Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland lose against 20-year-old Australian Nick Kyrgios 7-6, 7-6.

Last year, Kyrgios was given a suspended 28-day ban and $25,000 (£17,000/€22,000) fine after making lewd remarks about Wawrinka's girlfriend during a match.

Sixth seed Kei Nishikori of Japan overcame Italy’s Fabio Fognini, while 10th seed Richard Gasquet of France beat Spain’s Fernando Verdasco 6-4, 3-6, 6-1.  

Canada's Milos Raonic, the 11th seed, continued his impressive Masters season with a 6-4, 6-7, 6-2 victory over Ukraine’s Alexandr Dolgopolov.

Women's fourth seed Victoria Azarenka of Belarus has withdrawn with a back injury
Women's fourth seed Victoria Azarenka of Belarus has withdrawn with a back injury ©Getty Images

In the women’s draw, fourth seed Victoria Azarenka has joined the list of withdrawals with a back injury.

The 26-year-old Belarusian, a beaten finalist in Madrid in 2011 and 2012, had been due to play the United States’ Louisa Chirico in round three today before pulling out during the warm-ups.

She had cruised into the third round with straight-sets wins but has been struggling since suffering the injury in her opening win against Great Britain’s Laura Robson.

"I tweaked my back in my first match, it was cold that day," said Azarenka, who is now a doubt for the Rome Masters which begins on Monday (May 9).

"In my second match, I was in a lot of discomfort.

"I thought a day off would help, but today during a hit it came back again.

"I just don't feel I'm able to compete today."

Her departure means the top five seeds are out of the tournament.

Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska, Germany’s Angelique Kerber and Spain’s Garbine Muguruza exited in previous rounds, while Czech fifth seed Petra Kvitova, the holder and two-time champion, lost 6-3, 6-4 against Australia's Daria Gavrilova today.

American qualifier Chirico will play Gavrilova for a place in the semi-finals.