Djokovic Cruises Past Musetti to Reach Dubai Quarterfinals

Novak Djokovic continued his strong start to the 2026 season with a commanding 6-4, 6-2 victory over Lorenzo Musetti in the second round of the Dubai Tennis Championships, advancing to his first ATP quarterfinal of the year.

The Serbian superstar, playing his first tournament since winning his 11th Australian Open title last month, looked sharp throughout the 76-minute encounter at the Aviation Club Tennis Centre. Djokovic's serve was particularly impressive, firing 8 aces while winning 84% of points on his first serve against the talented Italian.

Musetti, ranked 18th in the world, started brightly and held his own in the opening set until Djokovic struck at 4-4. The 36-year-old Serbian broke serve with a stunning cross-court forehand winner before serving out the set to love, showcasing the kind of clinical efficiency that has defined his legendary career.

The second set was more one-sided as Djokovic raised his level significantly. He broke Musetti's serve twice, including an early break in the third game that put him in complete control. The 24-time Grand Slam champion then cruised to victory, closing out the match with a service winner down the T.

"I'm very pleased with how I played today," Djokovic said in his post-match interview. "Lorenzo is a very tough opponent, especially on these courts, but I felt my movement and timing were very good. The Australian Open gave me a lot of confidence, and I want to build on that momentum here in Dubai."

Djokovic will face either fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas or qualifier Aslan Karatsev in the quarterfinals as he seeks his sixth Dubai title. The victory also marked his 1,100th career win on the ATP Tour, joining an exclusive club that includes only Jimmy Connors, Roger Federer, and Ivan Lendl.

The result extends Djokovic's perfect start to 2026, having now won 12 consecutive matches dating back to the Australian Open. With the Indian Wells and Miami Masters coming up next month, the world number one appears to be hitting peak form at the perfect time.