Novak Djokovic Advances to Dubai Semifinals After Defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in Three Sets

Novak Djokovic demonstrated once again why he remains one of tennis' greatest competitors, rallying from a set down to defeat Stefanos Tsitsipas 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 in the quarterfinals of the Dubai Tennis Championships today. The 38-year-old Serbian legend showcased the mental resilience and tactical brilliance that has defined his career, overcoming a sluggish start to advance to his 12th Dubai semifinal and keep alive his quest for a record sixth title at the prestigious ATP 500 event.

Tsitsipas appeared to be in complete control early in the match, dictating play with his powerful forehand and aggressive net approaches that caught Djokovic off guard. The Greek star broke serve twice in the opening set, displaying the kind of confident, attacking tennis that has made him a consistent threat against the game's elite players. His serve was particularly effective in the first set, winning 85% of his first-serve points while limiting Djokovic to just three winners in the entire opening frame. "Stefanos played incredible tennis in the first set," Djokovic acknowledged after the match. "I had to find a way to raise my level significantly."

The turning point came early in the second set when Djokovic began implementing a more aggressive return strategy, standing closer to the baseline and taking Tsitsipas' serve earlier in the rally. The tactical adjustment immediately paid dividends as the Serbian secured an early break and never looked back, winning the second set comfortably while limiting Tsitsipas to just four games. Djokovic's court coverage was exceptional throughout the second and third sets, retrieving seemingly impossible shots and turning defense into offense with the consistency that has made him a 24-time Grand Slam champion.

The deciding set featured several momentum swings, with both players producing moments of brilliance that had the Dubai crowd on their feet. Tsitsipas saved three break points in the fourth game with a combination of powerful serves and brave shot-making, but Djokovic's patience eventually paid off when he secured the crucial break at 4-3 with a stunning cross-court backhand winner. The Serbian then served out the match with authority, closing out the victory with an ace down the middle that left Tsitsipas stranded at the baseline.

The victory sets up a semifinal clash for Djokovic against either top seed Jannik Sinner or rising American Ben Shelton, with both matches promising to provide stern tests of the veteran's continued excellence. Djokovic has been in impressive form during the early stages of the 2026 season, reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open before falling to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set thriller. His performance against Tsitsipas suggested that reports of his decline have been greatly exaggerated, as he continues to find ways to compete with and defeat players nearly two decades younger.

Tsitsipas, despite the disappointing loss, can take encouragement from his performance, particularly his dominant first set that showed he possesses the weapons necessary to trouble even the most experienced champions. The 27-year-old Greek remains one of the tour's most consistent performers and will look to build on this week's strong showing as the season progresses toward the clay court swing and French Open. For Djokovic, today's victory represents another step in what could be his final competitive season, as he continues to chase history and prove that age is merely a number when combined with unparalleled determination and tactical intelligence.