Monday 21 July 2014 18:52, UK
Viktor Troicki enjoyed a winning-return to competitive tennis as he beat Austrian Dominic Thiem in the first round of the Swiss Open at Gstaad.
The 28-year-old was banned last July for refusing to provide a blood sample following a match at the Monte Carlo Masters in April 2013.
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) imposed an 18-month ban which was reduced by the Court of Arbitration for Sport after the Serbian had argued he felt ill and was scared of needles.
On Monday he returned with a bang following victory over the No 8 seed Thiem who was beaten 7-6 (7/4) 6-4 in just 96 minutes.
Troicki recovered from an early break in the opening set which he clinched by taking four straight points from 3-4 down in the tie-break.
In the second, he broke twice to lead 5-2 and despite being broken back in game eight, held on to secure victory on his second match point.
When Troicki was banned he was ranked No 53 in the world but on his comeback was down to No 847.
Troicki received a wild card for the clay court event at the Swiss ski resort. In round two he will face Andrey Golubev of Kazakhstan.
