Playing his first match since suffering a right elbow injury in his defeat to Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka in the US Open final a month ago, the Serbian controlled the match throughout, beating the helpless Fognini 6-3, 6-3.

"The first match, I was just pleased to be back on the court, considering I skipped Beijing that I planned to play," Djokovic said.

"I have great memories and success in the past in this tournament, in this court."

The world number one has already won seven titles this year, including his first French Open trophy.

Djokovic now awaits the winner of tomorrow's second-round match between Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria and qualifier Vasek Pospisil of Canada.

In arguably the match of the day, 11th-seeded David Goffin of Belgium beat wildcard recipient Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina.

Del Potro's wildcard is somewhat misleading after a series of wrist injuries has hampered his career.

A recent US Open quarter-final and Rio 2016 silver medal had suggested he could still return to his best - although he was eliminated in Shanghai today.

The two players battled for two hours and 18 minutes before Goffin squeezed through with a 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 win.

Meanwhile, in an all Spanish affair, Feliciano Lopez upset his compatriot and tenth seed David Ferrer 7-6, 4-6, 7-6 in an epic match that lasted two hours, 30 minutes.

Lopez produced 20 aces in the match with 11 coming in the first set.

Elsewhere in today's action, Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga defeated Serbian Janko Tipsarevic 6-3, 7-6 whilst Australia's controversial Nick Kyrgios beat Sam Querrey of the United States 6-4, 6-4.

Second seed Andy Murray of Great Britain will start his Shanghai campaign against Steve Johnson of the US tomorrow, while fourth seed Rafael Nadal, still missing a Shanghai title, will take on Viktor Troicki of Serbia.