Novak Djokovic eased his way through his first test at Eastbourne today.

The 12-time Grand Slam champion defeated Canadian qualifier Vasek Pospisil 6-4, 6-3 in his rain-interrupted Devonshire Park debut to reach the quarter-finals of the Aegon International.

It was competent display by the Serb against a potentially awkward opponent in his first match on grass since losing to Sam Querrey in the last 32 at Wimbledon last year, an exit which heralded a near year-long dip.

World No.4 Djokovic always just had the edge in a tight first set against 2015 Wimbledon quarter-finalist Pospisil, ranked 75 and a winner against Andy Murray at Indian Wells earlier in the season.

Only eight minutes play was possible yesterday as Djokovic led 1-0 and 30-15 on Pospisil's serve.

Solid on his own service, he had break points immediately after the resumption, and again in the sixth game.

The 6ft 4ins Pospisil denied him both times with thumping aces.

Djokovic was in relaxed mood, sharing a joke with the centre court crowd under leaden skies after he challenged a serve called out.

The line judge got it horribly wrong, the replay showing the ball landed in by a foot.

Djokovic found his range, returning with contrasting accuracy to make the decisive break.

A second set point was secured as Pospisil netted a forehand, giving the Serb the advantage after 47 minutes.

Djokovic was not truly stretched until producing some trademark baseline retrieving to rescue a break point at 2-2 in the second set.

He pumped a fist and beckoned the crowd to applaud after finishing the point by putting away a forehand crosscourt.

They responded as Djokovic took a firm grip on the contest, breaking to 15 in the next game for a 4-2 lead.

There was no way back for Pospisil after that, Djokovic completing a routine 6-4, 6-3 victory in 85 minutes and his fifth win against the Canadian without dropping a set.

Djokovic, who faces the winner next of the all-American clash between Donald Young and Jared Donaldson, said: "I enjoyed myself very much, not so much yesterday when we were waiting for the rain to stop!

"Eastbourne is a wonderful little town. It's a beautiful venue and you can feel there is a great appreciation for tennis in this town. It's a pleasure to be here.

"I've been to Beachy Head, it's one of the most beautiful places, the view up there is stunning.

"I haven't played a lead-up event to Wimbledon for seven years and I wanted to change things up a little bit.

"Obviously Wimbledon is just round the corner but my focus is just on this week."