By Alberto Amalfi | Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Novak Djokovic beat Vasek Pospisil, 6-4, 6-4, to advance to the Dubai quarterfinals for the ninth consecutive year.
Photo credit: Getty
Last week, Novak Djokovic called for Dubai to be elevated to Masters status. Today, the world No. 1 continued his mastery of Vasek Pospisil with another dynamic desert performance.
Djokovic converted three of four break points in a relatively routine, 6-4, 6-4, decision to reach the Dubai round of 16 for the ninth consecutive year.
Video: Seppi's Stunning Passing Shot
The top seed punished Pospisil's second serve, winning 20 of 30 points played on the 63rd-ranked Canadian's second delivery.
In contrast, Djokovic defended his second serve with much more authority, winning 60 percent of his second-serve points and denying two of three break points he faced.
Hitting with greater depth throughout the match, Djokovic looked fit and played fast in his first match since defeating Andy Murray in the Australian Open final.
The five-time Australian Open champion played a cleaner match. Attacking his opponent's forehand, Djokovic drained 38 errors from Pospisil — 15 more errors than he committed.
Djokovic has won all seven sets the pair have played.
A four-time Dubai champion, Djokovic raised his record to 30-5 in the desert. Defending champion Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Andy Roddick are the only men to beat Djokovic in Dubai.
Djokovic will play 107th-ranked Andrey Golubev for a trip to the quarterfinals. Djokovic has won all seven sets the pair have played, including winning two shutout sets.