Djokovic, Murray Opening Day Dubai Winners

Novak Djokovic got his 2022 season off to a positive start rolling past Italian teen Lorenzo Musetti 6-3, 6-3 in the first round at Dubai.

The 5-time champion Djokovic saved all seven break points he faced.

“I’m very pleased with the way I managed to hold my nerves I think in the crucial moments when I was facing break points, found the right serve,” said Djokovic. “I know I can always do better in terms of the quality of tennis. There’s some moments where I felt like I played really well, some moments where I was just losing the rhythm on my serve. I had a low percentage of first serves in. Of course, for the next match there’s always more to work on and improve and look forward to.

“All in all very positive experience in terms of how I felt, how I played, in terms of the atmosphere on the court.”

Djokovic will now face Karen Khachanov who knocked out Alex De Minaur on Tuesday.

Former No. 1 Andy Murray also opened play and made a good showing outlasting Christopher O’Connell 6-7(4), 6-3, 7-5 in just under 3 hours.

Murray saved four break points at 4-all in the fifth and from there managed to scrape it out.

“Just relief to get over the line,” said Murray. “I did a great job to win that match. It would have been very easy for me to have lost that tonight. Yeah, came out with a great point at the end to turn the match. Also, to be fair, when I was down in the third set, as well, some break points, I came up with some good stuff as well.”

Murray remains encouraged by his progress.

“I still believe I can play much better,” said Murray. “Since I came back from the hip surgery, I’ve won against Zverev, Berrettini, Norrie, Hurkacz, Alcaraz. There’s a number of guys that are currently in like the top 25, top 30 in the world. I think I’ve beaten 12 or 13 of them since I came back.

“The consistency certainly has not been there. I’m totally aware of that. But there has been times where I played well. The last sort of seven, eight months has been tough. I want to try and get my coaching situation sorted. That’s not easy, as well. There’s a reason why obviously mostly guys on the tour travel with coaches. Having some consistency and continuity there I think will help me get a bit of consistency back.”

Murray will await the Sinner-Davidovich Fokina winner in the second round. A win would be his 700th!

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