Novak Djokovic progresses, Rublev saves 5 match focuses in Dubai win

Highest level Novak Djokovic slid into the quarterfinals at the Dubai Titles by beating Tallon Griekspoor 6-2, 6-3 on Wednesday.

Djokovic stretched out his series of wins to 19 matches in clean style a day in the wake of being pushed to a third-set sudden death round by 130th-positioned Tomas Machac.

The five-time Dubai champion had gone home for the weeks in the wake of conquering a hamstring issue in Australia to win his record-rising to 22nd Huge homerun singles title.

Djokovic will next confront either Hubert Hurkacz or qualifier Pavel Kotov for a spot in the elimination rounds.

Likewise Wednesday, reigning champ Andrey Rublev delivered a 1-6, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (3) rebound prevail upon Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.

The Russian saved five match focuses in the second-set sudden death round. He won seven straight focuses subsequent to going down 1-6.

“In my mind … the match was finished,” Rublev said at a public interview.

It’s the third time this season he has saved match focuses in transit to triumph.

“I have no words. These matches, when it’s finished and some way or another you win them it’s generally unique,” he said.

Davidovich Fokina fell behind 1-6 in the third-set sudden death round and saved two match focuses before Rublev polished him off on the third attempt.

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The second-cultivated Rublev will play Botic van de Zandschulp in the quarterfinals.