Novak Djokovic Advances to ATP Dubai Quarterfinals in Straight Sets Victory

Novak Djokovic showcased his championship form at the ATP Dubai Tennis Championships, defeating Spanish qualifier Roberto Carballes Baena 6-3, 6-2 in just 73 minutes to advance to the quarterfinals on Monday.

The 38-year-old Serbian, seeking his seventh Dubai title, was in complete control throughout the match, winning 85% of his first-serve points and breaking his opponent's serve four times. Djokovic's precision and court coverage were on full display as he dictated rallies from the baseline and finished points with authority.

"I'm feeling good about my game right now," Djokovic said in his post-match interview. "The conditions here in Dubai suit my playing style, and I'm moving well on the court. Roberto is a tough competitor, but I was able to execute my game plan effectively today."

Carballes Baena, ranked 64th in the world, had upset 16th seed Lorenzo Musetti in the first round but found himself overwhelmed by Djokovic's experience and shot-making ability. The Spaniard managed to hold serve only twice in the entire match and struggled to find answers against the former world number one's varied attack.

Djokovic broke serve in the fourth game of the opening set and never looked back, consolidating the break with a service hold to love. The 24-time Grand Slam champion then dominated the second set, winning the first four games before Carballes Baena managed to get on the scoreboard.

The victory extends Djokovic's impressive record in Dubai, where he has now won 44 of his 49 matches since first playing the tournament in 2007. His six previous titles came in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2020, and 2022, making him the most successful player in the event's history.

Next up for Djokovic is a quarterfinal clash against either third seed Casper Ruud or wild card recipient Denis Shapovalov, who were scheduled to play their second-round match later Monday evening. The winner of that encounter will present a significantly tougher test for the Serbian star.

Djokovic's dominant performance comes as he continues to build momentum following his successful start to the 2026 season. The former world number one has made it clear that adding to his Grand Slam tally remains his primary focus, but he's also eager to add more ATP titles to his already impressive collection.

The Dubai Tennis Championships, which runs through February 22nd, features one of the strongest fields of the early season, with several top-10 players competing for the prestigious title and valuable ranking points ahead of the upcoming American hard court swing.