Novak Djokovic advanced to his 12th consecutive Dubai quarter-final after a 6-3, 7-6 win over Karen Khachanov in an hour and 38 minutes. Novak skipped the Australian Open, and this was his second match in 2022. The Serb defeated the Russian for the fifth time in six encounters.
He made the difference with the first serve and saved three out of four break chances to keep the pressure on the other side. Karen lost serve twice and raised his level from the second set’s second part to challenge world no.
1 and reach a tie break, only to lose it 7-2. The Serb unleashed strong serves right from the opening game and fired a service winner to get his name on the scoreboard. Karen responded with an unreturned serve in the second game to level the score at 1-1.
A five-time Dubai winner held at 30 in the third game and grabbed a break after Khachanov’s poor challenge in the next one to forge a 3-1 advantage.
Novak Djokovic reached his 12th consecutive Dubai quarter-final.
The Serb grabbed the fifth game with a forehand winner, looking very strong on the court.
Karen stayed within one break deficit with a hold at 30 in game six but could not do anything on the return, as Novak opened a 5-2 gap with a booming serve. The Russian fired a forehand winner to grab the eighth game before the Serb forced the rival’s error at 5-3 to wrap up the opener in 32 minutes.
Barely losing a point behind the initial shot in the opening set, Djokovic faced deuce in the second set’s second game and closed it with his second ace for 1-1. Novak broke Karen in game three with deep and precise balls and moved closer to the finish line.
Facing an ultimate test in the fourth game, world no. 1 defended three break points with powerful serves and brought it home to remain in front. Karen raised his level in those moments and produced two holds at love to build momentum.
Khachanov broke back in game eight with a forehand down the line winner to level the score at 4-4. The Russian saved two break points in the ninth game with winners and made an essential hold after three deuces to rattle off three straight games and move in front.
Khachanov held at love in the 11th game and hoped for something more on the return in the next one. Novak served for staying in the set for the second time at 5-6 and produced a cold-as-ice game, wrapping it up with an ace to introduce a tie break.
Djokovic claimed a fantastic rally at 3-2 to extend the lead, and Khachanov sprayed a backhand mistake in the next one to ruin his chances. Novak placed an incredible return at 6-2 to seal the deal and advance into the last eight without playing a decider.
