Tennis: Flawless Djokovic downs Hurkacz to reach Dubai semi-finals
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Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates his win against Poland's Hubert Hurkacz.
PHOTO: AFP
DUBAI – Contrary to his words, Novak Djokovic did not show much love to “lovable guy” Hubert Hurkacz on Thursday, as he powered into the semi-finals of the Dubai Tennis Championships with a 6-3, 7-5 win over his Polish opponent.
The 35-year-old Serb won in Adelaide before sealing his 22nd Grand Slam title at the Australian Open while managing a hamstring injury, and has hit top form after a slow start in Dubai on his return to the tour.
“Fantastic personality. Very lovable guy, a great relationship with everyone. He’s always respectful. I wish him all the best for the rest of the season,” said Djokovic of Hurkacz after his victory.
Having breezed through the first set on the back of a single break, he found the going a bit tougher in the next as the big-serving Hurkacz raised his game in search of a first win over the world No. 1 in their fifth meeting.
After a crucial hold from 0-30 down to draw level at 5-5, Djokovic grabbed another break to heap the pressure on the Pole and the five-time champion closed out the match on serve.
“It was a challenging match as it always is against Hubert,” Djokovic added.
“He’s got one of the best serves in the game. In the second set, until the 11th game, I didn’t have too many chances against his serve.
“Fortunately for me, I also found the rhythm on my serve... one or two points can decide the winner in matches like these. I’m really glad with the way I played under pressure.”
The win set up a blockbuster semi-final clash on Friday with former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev, who beat Borna Coric 6-3, 6-2. The result of their match was not available at press time.
Third seed Medvedev won the final 21 points of his quarter-final to send a message to Djokovic.
“To win 21 points in a row, I don’t know if that’s my personal record on the ATP Tour,” the 27-year-old Russian said.
“I managed to play good... generally happy with my level, I’m happy with the ending of the match for sure.”
Germany’s Alexander Zverev (above) enjoyed a 7-5 6-4 win over Lorenzo Sonego.
PHOTO: AFP
Separately, former US Open champions Emma Raducanu and Dominic Thiem have been handed wild cards into the Miami Open – which runs from March 19 to April 2 – the tournament organisers announced on Thursday.
The 20-year-old Raducanu, winner at Flushing Meadows in 2021, also required a wild card to get into next week’s event in Indian Wells after an injury plagued start to the season.
Thiem, the 2020 US Open champion who was once ranked as high world No. 3, has also had his injury struggles in 2023, with the 29-year-old Austrian collecting just one singles win this season.
REUTERS
