Novak Djokovic continued the undefeated start to the year by beating Hubert Hurkacz Quarter-finals of Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
The world number one shrugged off an early pass in his first tournament since winning the Australian Open and impressed fifth-seeded Hurkacz with a 6-3 7-5 win.
Proving a timeout difference in each set, Djokovic dropped just 11 points on serve in the match and didn’t face a breaking point in his 20th win, 15 of which came in 2023.
The only moment he was really worried about came when he fell to 0-30 in 4-5 in the second set, but he responded well and in a field interview broadcast by Amazon Prime Video, Djokovic said: “It was a tough match, as always in the round. against one of the best guys, Hubert.
“He has one of the best serves in the game, so in the second set, I didn’t have much luck until Game 11. Luckily for me, I found the rhythm in my serve as well.
“A point or two can always determine the winner of games like this. I’m really happy with the way I played under pressure.”
Alexander Zverev He’s having his best week since suffering a serious ankle injury at the French Open last spring, breaking into the last four with a 7-5 6-4 win over Italian Lorenzo Sonego.
“After nine months I start playing good tennis, which is nice,” said the German. “I am happy about it. I am happy with the way the game is going. I am also happy with how I deal with pressure situations.”
Next up face the defending champion Andrey Rublevdefeated Botic Van De Zandschulp 6-3 7-6 (3).