Share

Djokovic, Tsitsipas power into Dubai quarter-finals

Dubai - Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas powered into the Dubai Championships quarter-finals with runaway victories on Wednesday.

World number one Djokovic eased to his 15th straight win of the season with a 6-3, 6-1 demolition of Philipp Kohlschreiber in only 61 minutes.

Greek star Tsitsipas, who won the Marseille title last weekend, dispatched Alexander Bublik 7-6 (7/1), 6-4.

Third seed Gael Monfils also eased through, beating Japanese qualifier Yasutaka Uchiyama 6-1, 6-2.

Djokovic, aiming for a fifth Dubai trophy, reached the last eight with his 12th win over the 36-year-old Kohlschreiber in 14 meetings.

"I was very sharp from the beginning, mentally," the Serbian said. "It took me a first few games to get used to the tricky conditions.

"It was pretty windy on the court, changing directions all the time. It was not really easy to get the rhythm.

"You have to take Philipp seriously regardless of his ranking (80th). He has tremendous experience of playing on a big stage. He actually likes this kind of challenge.

"I knew I'd have to be sharp, stay focused all the way till the end, not allow him to feel like he has a chance to come back to the match - that's what happened."

Djokovic will play seventh seed Karen Khachanov on Thursday after the Russian beat Austrian qualifier Dennis Novak 6-3, 6-4.

Tsitsipas next takes on German Jan-Lennard Struff, a 6-1, 6-0 winner against Nikoloz Basilashvili.

Tsitsipas, still recovering after his flight from France, said: "Right now I feel a bit sleepy. It's because I sleep late every day.

"It's difficult for me with the jetlag. On the other hand, I'm playing pretty relaxed. I feel my body (is) flexible.

"I feel my mobility is good. I'm not really tight, which is good."

Victory backed up the second seed's defeat of Bublik last Saturday in the Marseille semi-finals.

"I'm trying to keep it well-balanced," he said. "I don't want to give too much out there, I want to compromise.

"It's great being in a position where I am right now, number six in the world, trying to get better every single day."

Monfils will bid to reach a third consecutive semi-final against compatriot Richard Gasquet, who won an all-French battle with Benoit Paire 6-4, 6-4.

The win was a personal-best 11th in a row for Monfils who has lifted titles this month in Montpellier and Rotterdam.

"I played a great match, I'm feeling very strong at the moment," said Monfils, who leads his head-to-head against Gasquet 10-7.

"We are best friends, there are no secrets between our games. It will be a big match and I have to be ready."

Russian sixth seed Andrey Rublev raced away with the second set to score a 7-6 (7/3), 6-0 win over Filip Krajinovic, exacting revenge for his defeat by the Serbian two weeks ago in Rotterdam.

The 14th-ranked Rublev lifted the Doha and Adelaide titles back-to-back earlier this year before his 11-match winning streak ended with a loss in the Australian Open fourth round to Alexander Zverev.

Rublev, who was ranked 112th a year ago, improved his win-loss record this season to 15-2.

"The first set I think was the main one. I saw after the first that he was really tired," said Rublev. "That gave me even more confidence, the second set was easier."

He next faces Dan Evans in the last eight.

The Briton saved three match points as he defeated Pierre-Hugues Herbert 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (9/7) after nearly three hours of play.

Results from the ATP tournament in Dubai on Wednesday (x denotes seeding):

2nd round

Novak Djokovic (SRB x1) bt Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) 6-3, 6-1

Karen Khachanov (RUS x7) bt Dennis Novak (AUT) 6-3, 6-4

Gael Monfils (FRA x3) bt Yasutaka Uchiyama (JPN) 6-1, 6-2

Richard Gasquet (FRA) bt Benoit Paire (FRA x8) 6-4, 6-4

Andrey Rublev (RUS x6) bt Filip Krajinovic (SRB) 7-6 (7/3), 6-0

Daniel Evans (GBR) bt Pierre-Hugues Herbert (FRA) 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (9/7)

Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) bt Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) 6-1, 6-0

Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE x2) bt Alexander Bublik (KAZ) 7-6 (7/1), 6-4

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
loading... Live
Glasgow Warriors 0
Sharks 0
loading... Live
North West 40/0
Warriors RSA 145/7
loading... Live
Titans RSA 26/0
Lions 154/8
loading... Live
Western Province 173/4
Boland 33/3
loading... Live
Ulster 0
Cardiff Rugby 0
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
33% - 1817 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1778 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1084 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 461 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 187 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 254 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE