Top-ranked Novak Djokovic has held on to beat Czech qualifier Tomas Machac 6-3 3-6 7-6 (7-1) on the Dubai Championships in his first match since profitable his tenth Australian Open title.
Djokovic’s first-round victory got here a day after the 35-year-old Serb broke the document for probably the most time spent at No.1 within the skilled tennis rankings by a person or girl.
Djokovic was a bit rusty on his return from just a few weeks off after overcoming a hamstring downside in Australia to win his record-equalling twenty second grand slam singles title.
He led 4-1 within the third set on Tuesday earlier than the One hundred and thirtieth-ranked Machac compelled a tiebreaker.
“He was giving me all kinds of trouble, but I guess when it mattered I found another gear,” Djokovic stated in his on-court interview.
“I haven’t played much tennis (recently), so I’m hoping as the tournament progresses I can raise the level.”
Djokovic, who subsequent faces Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands, is 13-0 this season and prolonged his general profitable streak to 18 matches.
A presentation was held after Tuesday’s match to mark Djokovic’s 378th week within the ATP’s prime spot, surpassing Steffi Graf’s 377 main the WTA.
“As a young boy growing up in Serbia, I dreamt of two things – winning Wimbledon and being No.1 in the world.
“I’ve been blessed to realize each of my childhood desires, a number of occasions,” he said.
Also on Tuesday, third-seeded Daniil Medvedev beat Matteo Arnaldi 6-4 6-2 to extend his own winning streak to 10 matches.
Fourth-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime defeated Maxime Cressy 7-6 (7-4), 3-6, 6-3, while Botic van de Zandschulp beat sixth seed Karen Khachanov 7-5, 6-2.
Aussie qualifier Chris O’Connell faces a last-16 conflict with No.7 seed Alexander Zverev after beating Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori 7-5 6-4.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
