Novak Djokovic Returns To Action This Week In Dubai
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Five-time champion Novak Djokovic is back on court this week in Dubai. The world No. 1 returns for his first event following another Australian Open triumph last month.
Djokovic, 12-0 on the year, heads the field which features eight players in the Top 20 including defending champion Andrey Rublev plus former winner Andy Murray who just made the Doha final.
Top seeds are 1 Novak Djokovic, 2 Andrey Rublev, 3 Daniil Medvedev, 4 Felix Auger Aliassime, 5 Hubert Hurkacz, 6 Karen Khachanov, 7 Alexander Zverev, 8 Borna Coric.
No. 1 Djokovic is projected to meet 5 Hurkacz in his quarter, No. 3 Medvedev – 8 Coric, No. 7 Zverev – 4 Auger Aliassime, and 6 seed Khachanov – 2 Rublev in the last quarter.
The semifinals could see Novak Djokovic-Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev-Felix Auger Aliassime.
Djokovic opens with qualifier Tomas Machac then gets the winner of Tallon Griekspoor-Constant Lestienne. He could also face Murray in the quarters as the Scot opens with Hubert Hurkacz. Last year, in his 2022 debut Djokovic was stunned in the quarterfinals in Dubai by qualifier Jiri Vesely.
The second seeded Rublev opens with Filip Krajinovic then gets the winner of Malek Jaziri-Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
Among the notable first round matches: Hubert Hurkacz-Andy Murray, Daniel Evans-Borna Coric, Maxime Cressy-Felix Auger Aliassime, Karen Khachanov-Botic Van De Zandschulp,
Former champions: Djokovic (5 times), Murray, Rublev.
Last year, (2) Andrey Rublev defeated (Q) Jiri Vesely 6-3, 6-4.
LAST 10 DUBAI CHAMPIONS/FINALS
2022 Andrey Rublev d Jiri Vesely 6-3 6-4
2021 Aslan Karatsev d Lloyd Harris 6-3 6-2
2020 Novak Djokovic d Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3 6-4
2019 Roger Federer d Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4 6-4
2018 Roberto Bautista Agut d Lucas Pouille 6-3 6-4
2017 Andy Murray d Fernando Verdasco 6-3 6-2
2016 Stan Wawrinka d Marcos Baghdatis 6-4 7-6(13)
2015 Roger Federer d Novak Djokovic 6-3 7-5
2014 Roger Federer d Tomas Berdych 3-6 6-4 6-3
2013 Novak Djokovic d Tomas Berdych 7-5 6-3
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