The 34-year-old Serb won in two sets, 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) in 1:37 in Dubai, where he is back to defend his place as World N.1, threatened by the Russian Daniil Medvedev.

Under the applause of the public, Djokovic encountered more difficulties in the second set, but he knew how to make the difference in the decisive game to easily win the tie-break.

Serbian Novak Djokovic, serving against Russian Karen Khachanov, during the 2nd round of the ATP 500 tournament in Dubai, February 23, 2022 Karim SAHIB AFP

"There were break points against me, but there was a phenomenal atmosphere. We like that people come to see us play and that they encourage us. It touches me that so many people come to see me play", he said after his victory.

"I like to travel and transmit positive emotions to all the people who come to see me play!", He chained.

To dislodge the Serb from his world number 1 spot, Russian Daniil Medvedev, recent Australian Open finalist, must win the ATP 500 tournament in Acapulco to be certain of seizing the throne outcome of the week, regardless of Djokovic's result in Dubai.

The Serbian champion on Monday dismissed Italian Lorenzo Musetti 6-3, 6-3 in the first round, for his first match since his expulsion from Australia on January 16 where he could not defend his title from the Grand Tournament. Slam.

His participation in Melbourne had been canceled after a long standoff with the Australian authorities because he was not vaccinated against the coronavirus.

In Dubai, the world No.1 can participate in the tournament because no vaccine against the coronavirus is compulsory to enter the territory of the Emirates.

"It's always a pleasure for me to play in Dubai in one of the biggest tournaments of the year. I had great memories with these five victories in the past and it gives me a lot of motivation to come back and play. here in this tournament," he said.

The Serb will face in the quarter-finals Thursday the Czech Jiri Vesely (123rd), from the qualifications and who dismissed in two sets 6-2, 6-4 one of the men in form of the moment, the Spaniard Roberto Bautista (15th).

© 2022 AFP