Djokovic avoids big scare to beat Machac in Dubai in first appearance since Australian Open

Novak Djokovic refrained from a scare to beat Tomas Machac 6-3 3-6 7-6(1) at the Dubai Tennis Championships in his first match since winning a tenth Australian Begin title.

An entertaining match seen Machac play some amazing tennis to rob the stumble upon to a final space tie-atomize but Djokovic confirmed his class when it mattered to find a manner over the line.

Djokovic, who has gained the ATP 500 tournament in Dubai 5 instances, will play Tallon Griekspoor in the closing 16 on Wednesday.

“It became once incredible because it continually is in Dubai, it is definitely certainly one of my popular locations to play tennis,” mentioned Djokovic after the match.

“Tomas definitely didn’t play worship 130 in the enviornment today. He performed some expansive tennis.

“He became once giving me all kinds of inconvenience but I guess when it mattered I chanced on one more gear and physically you would continually be better.”

Unforced errors from Machac gave Djokovic a atomize to walk 3-1 up, but the Czech participant broke lend a hand right this moment.

Nonetheless, Djokovic started to find his rhythm with the backhand and broke for a 2nd time which proved to be decisive as he went on to wrap up the gap in 37 minutes.

Knowing how most avid gamers fare against the 22-time Stout Slam champion when going a space down, Machac started to walk for his photographs and he broke Djokovic in the 2nd sport, before going 3-0 up.

Djokovic started to omit his forehand and might perchance presumably presumably handiest originate one atomize point likelihood at 5-3 down, which he couldn’t rob as Machac hit a amazing backhand winner down the line and held lend a hand to win the gap.

At deuce, during the 2nd sport of the decider, Machac required the trainer due to what looked to be a hand or wrist injury.

He held his nerve to win the sport but became once broken two games later by Djokovic, who went 3-1 up thanks to a love atomize.

Factual when it looked worship Djokovic became once going to romp away, Machac broke lend a hand and became once level at 4-4 after extra knowing shot-making.

The subsequent four games were shared so the match went to a final space tie-atomize the set Djokovic confirmed his class with some incredible winners to salvage over the line in a thriller.

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In relatively hundreds of locations, Dan Evans retired after four games against Borna Coric due to an injury.

It method there are no longer any Brits left in the competition as Evans, who had strapping to his sincere ankle, became once the handiest sole illustration following Andy Murray’s withdrawal.

Felix Auger-Aliassime dug deep to beat American Maxime Cressy 7-6(4) 3-6 6-3 whereas Daniil Medvedev had a extra overjoyed 6-4 6-2 victory over Matteo Arnaldi.

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The 2023 Australian Begin became once are living and the French Begin will notice on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com