Novak Djokovic hammered Hubert Hurkacz 6-3, 7-5 on Thursday to win his 15th match of the season and earn a place in the semi-finals of the ATP Dubai tournament.
The five-time winner in the emirate improved his 2023 record to 15-0 – his fourth-best start to a season; his best was 41-0 in 2011.
The world No. 1 with 93 career titles – including 22 Grand Slams – handed former Wimbledon semi-finalist Hurkacz of Poland a fifth loss in their series.
“It was a challenge as usual against a very loveable guy,” Djokovic said. ”Until the 11th game of the second set, i didn’t have chances on his serve.
“He was winning his serve comfortably.
“But I found rhythm on my own serve, one or two points always decades matches like this.
“I’m really glad how I played under pressure.”
Djokovic needed 36 minutes to secure the first set but found it tougher going in the second.
The Serb levelled at 5-5, coming from 0-30 down and broke with a backhand winner down the line for 6-5 after a game of five deuces and lasting for nearly 10 minutes.
Djokovic wrapped it up a game later to reach the semis with a service winner on the first of three match points with 83 minutes gone.
Main photo:- Novak Djokovic celebrates in Dubai by ATPTour.com
