Djokovic clings to the throne with a high-profile win

Novak Djokovic gave an exhibition this Wednesday in his second match of the year at the ATP 500 in Dubai. The Serbian knew that he had to win in order not to lose number one at the hands of Daniil Medvedev, who is fighting for him in Acapulco, and vHe started 6-3 and 7-6 (2) and another Russian, Karen Khachanov, with a high level of play. The leader of the ranking needs to reach at least the semifinals to try to stay on a throne that he has occupied for 361 weeks at different times. And he is willing to fulfill his part, although in that case he could also be unseated if the two win the Mexican tournament.

His rival on Thursday (4:00 p.m., #Vamos) will be Jiri Vesely, a 28-year-old Czech and 123rd in the world, who surprised Roberto Bautista (6-2 and 6-4), recent winner in Doha. The Spaniard, champion in Dubai in 2018, perhaps paid for last week’s effort. The fact is that he could do very little to the return against an opponent who lost only eight points on his serve.

Djokovic, who has never lost in the second round of Duty Free (12-0) and has reached at least the quarterfinals in ten tournamentshad moments of brilliance in the first set, especially with his dictatorial backhand and serve, and when things turned ugly for him in the second, he reacted with bravery and quality.

Dubai ATP 500 results.