MELBOURNE: Former Australian Open winner Novak Djokovic and Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the man he beat two years ago for the title, both advanced with ease Wednesday at the Kooyong Classic. Djokovic, world number three behind Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, needed less than an hour to defeat Tommy Haas 6-2, 6-3 after two losses to the 31-year-old German in 2009.

Tsonga, now over a troubling wrist niggle, defeated French Open finalist Robin Soderling of Sweden 7-6 (7-0), 6-1.

In the elite eight-man relegation-promotion event, Djokovic faces fellow winner Fernando Verdasco of Spain on Thursday while Tsonga has a day off before taking on Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro.

Del Potro, the 2008 US Open champion, got onto court for the first time since losing the November season-ending ATP World Tour Finals in London to Nikolay Davydenko, emerging with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Ivan Ljubicic.

The veteran Croatian was drafted into the eight-man tournament field when world number one Roger Federer declined the place he had been offered.

Verdasco, Spain's David Cup finals hero for two years running, defeated Chile's Fernando Gonzalez 7-5, 6-1.

Tsonga was satisfied with his winning performance on a windy day.

'I feel good, better with my new racket. Today was difficult to play for me and Robin,' he said.

'Even in these conditions we have to play and we have to win. I did it today so it's good for me.'

The fourth-ranked Del Potro has been given a boost thanks to his New York title and appearance at the World Tour Finals.

'I feel good with my tennis, I feel confident,' said the 21-year-old.

'Of course, to beat Roger in the (US Open) final gave to me a lot of motivation and confidence to keep trying, keep working.

'When I go to the court with Roger, Rafa, I don't feel too much different. That's important for the career for the future, and of course if I want to fight for the number one ranking.'

After a two-day heatwave, Melbourne temperatures dropped considerably, with overcast skies and wind.

'The weather conditions were tough, and it was windy,' admitted Del Potro.

'I served well and that's important for this kind of match, this kind of surface. It's a good victory for the beginning of the season.'

Djokovic said he enjoyed being back Down Under.

'I got used to playing good tennis on Australian soil, I'm always happy to come back, I have a lot of support,' he said.

The Serb, who retired in the 2009 Australian Open quarter-finals against Andy Roddick because of sweltering conditions, added: 'Heat is not one of my allies, that's for sure.

'But I definitely love playing here so I'm very excited about the tournament.'