Novak Djokovic into Dubai Tennis Championships semi-finals after navigating Hubert Hurkacz test

Novak Djokovic moved into the semi-final of the Dubai Tennis Championships with a hard-fought straight-sets win over a spirited Hubert Hurkacz.

The Polish star virtually matched the 22-time Grand Slam winner throughout but was left to rue a single service game in each set as he lost 6-3 7-5.

Djokovic smelt blood early on and went 3-1 up in the first after converting the third of three break points when his opponent put too much on a forehand to go long.

Undaunted, Hurkacz refused to buckle again on his serve and forced the world No. 1 to serve for the set.

With two set points, an uncharacteristic double fault on the first was followed up with a powerful ace to win the first set in just 36 minutes.

Hurkacz, coming off the back victory in the Open 13 Provence final the previous week, went on the attack in the second, matching Djokovic blow-for-blow with both men powering through their service games.

In fact, when all was said and done, Hurkacz finished with 21 winners to Djokovic’s 20 and also finished with seven aces to his opponent’s four.

It was Hurkacz who would blink first at 5-5, however. The 26-year-old saved four break points but was undone on the fifth handing Djokovic the opportunity to serve for the match.

Djokovic kept up his high-quality serving to hold to love for victory.

The Serb remains unbeaten in fifteen matches in 2023 as he eyes his sixth title in Dubai.

He now faces the winner of the final quarter final between Daniil Medvedev and Borna Coric.

Alexander Zverev was the first player to book his place in the final four after overcoming Italian Lorenzo Sonego 7-5 6-4.

The German faced six break points in the match but saved them all – including battling back from 0-40 down while serving for the match.

Defending champion Rublev beat Botic van de Zandschulp in straight sets but needed a tiebreak in the second to eventually come through 6-3 7-6(3).