Novak Djokovic advances, Rublev saves 5 match factors in Dubai win

Top-ranked Novak Djokovic eased into the quarterfinals on the Dubai Championships by beating Tallon Griekspoor 6-2, 6-3 on Wednesday.

Djokovic prolonged his successful streak to 19 matches in tidy vogue a day after being pushed to a third-set tiebreaker by A hundred and thirtieth-ranked Tomas Machac.

The 35-year-old Serb broke the Thirty ninth-ranked Griekspoor 4 occasions to stay unbeaten this season. It was Djokovic’s second match since successful his tenth Australian Open title.

The five-time Dubai champion had taken just a few weeks off after overcoming a hamstring drawback in Australia to win his record-equaling twenty second Grand Slam singles title.

Djokovic will subsequent face both Hubert Hurkacz or qualifier Pavel Kotov for a spot within the semifinals.

Also Wednesday, defending champion Andrey Rublev produced a 1-6, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (3) comeback win over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.

The Russian saved 5 match factors within the second-set tiebreaker. He received seven straight factors after happening 1-6.

“In my head … the match was done,” Rublev mentioned at a press convention.

It’s the third time this season he has saved match factors en path to victory.

“I have no words. These matches, when it’s over and somehow you win them it’s always special,” he mentioned.

Davidovich Fokina fell behind 1-6 within the third-set tiebreaker and saved two match factors earlier than Rublev completed him off on the third strive.

The second-seeded Rublev will play Botic van de Zandschulp within the quarterfinals.