Djokovic, who is on a 17-match winning streak and is looking to reach a record-equalling 18th consecutive final, is undefeated this year.
Advertisement
Djokovic is the third active player to pass the milestone, following Roger Federer (1,067) and Rafael Nadal (775).
“Sounds like I played many matches in my career, ” a smiling Djokovic told the crowd.
In other matches, qualifier Thomas Fabbiano surprised Leonardo Mayer 6-3 6-4, and a second qualifier also reached the next round as Franko Skugor defeated Teymuraz Gabashvili 6-2 6-3 to set up a clash with Wawrinka. I remember the match was very close and I had a few break points to go up a break in the fourth, but then he played very well in the tiebreak.
Feliciano Lopez is not shying away from the challenge of facing World No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals on Thursday as he explains it is a match he relishes being part of.
Lopez, the tournament’s sixth seed, was greeted by Major Essa Al Ahli, Abdulla Sultan S Al Mutawa, Ahmed Al Haddad and Ali Yousif Ahmed Albanny and two Dubai policewomen before taking a cruise in one of the most powerful cars in the Dubai Police fleet.
The second seed recovered to secure a 5-7, 6-3, 7-5 victory, and was happy to have notched up a win despite not playing his best tennis. “I must refocus myself, try to raise the game, and play some good tennis again”, two-time runner-up Berdych said.
Kohlschreiber beat Borna Coric of Croatia 6-2, 7-6 (5).
Earlier, third seed Tomas Berdych progressed with a comfortable 6-1 6-4 win over Joao Sousa of Portugal.
The 33rd-ranked Kyrgios arrived in Dubai on Monday, having captured his first career ATP title at Marseille without dropping a set.
Advertisement
Kyrgios collected his first Tour title in last week’s Marseille Open and needed just over an hour to defeat his Kazakh opponent.
