Novak Djokovic powers past Tallon Griekspoor to reach Dubai Tennis Championships quarter-finals

Novak Djokovic eased into the quarter-finals of the Dubai Tennis Championships with victory over Tallon Griekspoor.

World No. 1 Djokovic will next face either Hubert Hurkacz or Pavel Kotov as he bids to continue his unbeaten start to the year.

Djokovic has already won two titles in 2023 – the Adelaide International and Australian Open – and a third in Dubai would extend his lead at the top of the rankings over world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz.

Djokovic looked in the groove from the start against Griekspoor as he won 12 of the first 14 points, breaking for 2-0 with a fine passing winner.

The world No. 1 dropped just one point in his opening three service games and closed out the set with another break.

Djokovic continued to look imperious at the start of the second set, firing down back-to-back love holds either side of a break of serve.

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Griekspoor clung on in a lengthy fourth game, fending off five break points before Djokovic eventually broke to move 4-0 ahead.

The world No. 1 followed up with a quick hold but couldn’t close out a bagel set as Griekspoor won two games in a row.

Hurkacz is in action later in Dubai along with Daniil Medvedev, who is a potential semi-final opponent for Djokovic.