World number one Novak Djokovic claimed the 700th victory of his career as he breezed into the quarter-finals of the Dubai Duty Free Championships.
Djokovic needed only 65 minutes to beat Malek Jaziri 6-1 6-2 and become only the 12th player in tennis’ post-1968 open era to hit the 700 mark of singles victories.
The Serb said on the ATP Tour website: “The first set and a half I enjoyed it, and then I started missing a lot of forehands, easy forehands from mid-court.
“It frustrated me, honestly, a little bit.
“But I managed to win the match. I will take the positives out of tonight’s match and hopefully I will be able to raise my game even more.”
Djokovic now meets Feliciano Lopez, a 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) winner over Lukas Rosol, in the last eight.
Second seed Stan Wawrinka overwhelmed Franko Skugor 7-5 6-1 to set up a quarter-final meeting with Philipp Kohlschreiber, a 6-2 7-6 (7-5) winner over Borna Coric.
Third seed Tomas Berdych, twice a runner-up in Dubai, cruised through with a 6-2 6-2 victory over qualifier Thomas Fabbiano.
In the last eight Berdych meets Nick Kyrgios, who beat him in the Marseille semi-finals last week.
Roberto Bautista Agut and Marcos Baghdatis complete the quarter-final line-up.
“It’s good to win like this, playing well and doing everything you practise for and you get the result,” fourth seed Bautista Agut said after dismissing South Korean teenager Hyeon Chung 6-0 6-1 in just 54 minutes.
The 27-year-old Spaniard has already notched 16 wins this season and won in Auckland and Sofia.
Cypriot Baghdatis booked his quarter-final place with a 6-4 6-2 win over Vasek Pospisil
Djokovic needed only 65 minutes to beat Malek Jaziri 6-1 6-2 and become only the 12th player in tennis’ post-1968 open era to hit the 700 mark of singles victories.
The Serb said on the ATP Tour website: “The first set and a half I enjoyed it, and then I started missing a lot of forehands, easy forehands from mid-court.
“It frustrated me, honestly, a little bit.
“But I managed to win the match. I will take the positives out of tonight’s match and hopefully I will be able to raise my game even more.”
Djokovic now meets Feliciano Lopez, a 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) winner over Lukas Rosol, in the last eight.
Second seed Stan Wawrinka overwhelmed Franko Skugor 7-5 6-1 to set up a quarter-final meeting with Philipp Kohlschreiber, a 6-2 7-6 (7-5) winner over Borna Coric.
Third seed Tomas Berdych, twice a runner-up in Dubai, cruised through with a 6-2 6-2 victory over qualifier Thomas Fabbiano.
In the last eight Berdych meets Nick Kyrgios, who beat him in the Marseille semi-finals last week.
Roberto Bautista Agut and Marcos Baghdatis complete the quarter-final line-up.
“It’s good to win like this, playing well and doing everything you practise for and you get the result,” fourth seed Bautista Agut said after dismissing South Korean teenager Hyeon Chung 6-0 6-1 in just 54 minutes.
The 27-year-old Spaniard has already notched 16 wins this season and won in Auckland and Sofia.
Cypriot Baghdatis booked his quarter-final place with a 6-4 6-2 win over Vasek Pospisil
credit: sport.co.uk
