Djokovic Cruises Into Dubai QFs, Will Meet Khachanov; Monfils Keeps Winning

Novak Djokovic run has win streak to 15 after blowing past Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3, 6-1 to reach the Dubai quarterfinals.

“It was a great performance,” said Djokovic. “I enjoyed the way I played, coming out with the right focus and tactics. Knowing Philipp beat me 12 months ago in Indian Wells, I needed to approach this match very seriously regardless of his ranking. He is one of the most experienced players on the tour and likes to play on the big stage, so he doesn’t falter too much.”

Djokovic, who has lost just 7 games in four sets this week, will now face a stiff test against Karen Khachanov. The big Russian eased past qualifier Denis Novak 6-3, 6-4.

“I’ve had some interesting battles with him,” said Djokovic who has won two of three against Khachanov. “He is a great guy, a very powerful player. He is one of the guys who is a contender to be Top 5, Top 10. He is very dedicated, so hopefully I’ll be as sharp as I have been in the past two matches and start well.”

Gael Monfils also has a big streak going. The Frenchman won a career-best 11th straight ousting Yasutaka Uchiyama 6-1, 6-2. He’ll now get countryman Richard Gasquet who beat Benoit Paire.

2019 runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas advanced over Alexander Bublik 7-6(1), 6-4.

“Things were going quite well, although we reached the tie-break in the first set,” said Tsitsipas. “I knew I needed to serve well and takes risks, which gave me confidence. I experimented a little bit with other things in the second set. I’m trying to save as much energy as I can on court. I’ve had two two-sets wins this week and I need to keep the right attitude on the court.”

Up next for the Greek will be Jan-Lennard Struff. Andrey Rublev and Dan Evans will also feature in the quarterfinals.