Novak Djokovic achieved a couple of milestones during his first-round clash in Dubai. Djokovic played his first duel after taking a record of 378 weeks as the world’s leading player. Novak beat Tomas Machac 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 in two hours and 27 minutes for his 13th win of the season, remaining undefeated in 2023.
Novak conquered his 300th tie break in a career and played his 1250th ATP match since 2004. Djokovic became the fifth player with that many ATP encounters after Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Novak is 38 ATP matches behind Rafa, and he should pass the Spaniard in the upcoming year if he stays healthy.
With a 1044-206 score, Djokovic is the most efficient player in the Open era, leaving Nadal behind and hoping to remain at the top. Novak had to dig deep against Tomas, wasting the advantage in the final set and staying calm in the tie break to avoid an early setback.
Machac fought well and stayed in touch until the final stages before Djokovic sealed the deal. Novak forged the advantage with a break in the encounter’s fourth game and lost it a few minutes later. However, the Serb delivered another break in game six that pushed him 4-2 ahead.
Novak held in game nine for 6-3, hoping for more in set number two. Tomas made a strong start in the second set and forced Novak’s backhand error in the second game to open a 2-0 gap. The Czech moved 3-0 in front with a comfortable hold and created more break chances in game four.
Novak Djokovic played his 1250th ATP match in the Dubai first round.
Novak saved two break points to remain within one break deficit, and they both served well in the next four games. Tomas served for the set at 5-3 and denied a break point with a backhand down the line winner to wrap up the set after Novak’s loose forehand.
Djokovic experienced more problems at the start of the final set, repelling a break point in the opening game and gaining a boost. Machac asked for a medical timeout on his right hand after the first game and suffered a break at love at 1-2 when his backhand landed long.
The Serb produced a comfortable hold in the next one for 4-1 and moved closer to the finish line. Djokovic saved a break point in game seven and faced the second after netting a forehand. Novak landed a backhand long to experience a break and bring the rival back to the positive side.
Machac held in game eight after deuce to rattle off three straight games and level the score at 4-4. Djokovic ended his downfall with an easy winner at the net in game nine, sending the pressure to the other side. Novak moved 30-15 up on the return in game ten with a forehand winner before Tomas grabbed the next point with a serve & volley combo.
The Czech closed the game with a powerful serve for 5-5 and more drama. Both players served well in games 11 and 12 to introduce a tie break. Novak forced the rival’s mistake in the fourth point and fired a service winner for 4-1.
He fired a return winner at 5-1 for five match points and seized the first with a forehand winner to move into the second round.
