DEFENDING champion and second seed Damion Johnson brushed aside Stephen Todd in straight sets 6-1, 6-1 in the 2015 Jamaica National Men’s Open Singles Championship at the Liguanea Club in New Kingston yesterday.

The three-time champion Johnson was too strong for his opponents with his fast serves and strong returns to win convincingly. He will face the winner of today’s match-up between Gwayne Cox and Oshane Wright.

“I think I am reaching my fitness level and I hit the balls extremely well. I am taking each match on its merit and won’t be taking any opponent lightly, as I expect some tougher and stiffer challenges from opponents as the competition progresses,” Johnson said.

Meanwhile, top seed Rowland ‘Randy’ Phillips will open his account in Men’s Open when he faces unseeded Richard Blake in a second-round match.

The other seeds in the Men’s Open Singles to advance to the next round were David Goldsmith, who crushed unseeded Dwayne Lueshing in straight sets 6-0, 6-0; and Kristopher Martin with a convincing 6-1, 6-1 over unseeded Brandon Meadley. The first seed to be knocked out was number 12 seed Gary Gunter, who was swept aside 6-1, 6-0 by unseeded Peter Berry.

Other seeded players who will be in action in the Men’s Open Singles are seventh seed Yussuf Migoko who face unseeded Julius Biggs, and third seed Marcus Malcolm who will go up against unseeded Ruben Pinchas starting at 3:00.

— Gerald Reid