The top seed at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships failed to reach semi-finals of the ATP 500 event on Thursday. Novak suffered a 4-6, 6-7 (4) loss to world no.123 Jiri Vesely (CZE, Q). As a result, the Serbian star will fall to no.2 in the ATP Rankings on Monday for the first time since February 2020. Djokovic has spent a record 361 weeks at the summit of men's professional tennis.

Novak withstood the challenge of world no.26 Karen Khachanov to prevail 6-3, 7-6 (2) in their second round encounter at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. The top seed goes on to play qualifier Jiri Vesely next (CZE, ATP #123).

In his first match of the 2022 season, a convincing display from Nole. He beat Italian Lorenzo Musetti 6-3, 6-3 in 74 minutes to reach the 2nd round at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. The top seed faces Karen Khachanov (RUS) next.

Nole will be bidding for a sixth crown at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships (2009-11, 2013, 2020). The tournament celebrates its 30th anniversary. The top seed faces world no.57, Italian Lorenzo Musetti (WC, 1-0 H2H), in what will be his first match of the season.

Novak rallied from a set down and saved three match points en-route to a 2-6, 7-6 (8), 6-1 win over third seed Gael Monfils. He will face Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE, 2) in Saturday's final.

Novak improved his perfect W/L record in 2020 to 16-0, following a 6-2, 6-2 victory over seventh seed Karen Khachanov (RUS). The world no.1 will next play against no.3 seed Gael Monfils (Friday, 16:00 CET).

The top seed booked his place in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships last eight, following a convincing 6-3, 6-1 win over German Philipp Kohlschreiber. For a spot in the ATP 500 event semi-finals, Novak will face no.7 seed Karen Khachanov.

Making his first appearance in Dubai since 2016, the four-time former champion beat Malek Jaziri in straights sets, 6-1, 6-2 to reach the second round. He will next meet German Philipp Kohlschreiber (11-2 H2H record).

After taking a three-week vacation from tennis following the victorious run in Melbourne, Novak is ready to get back on court at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships (February 24-29). The Serbian star is making his 11th appearance (36-6 record), aiming for his fifth crown.

The top seed retired at 3-6 in his quarter-final match against Feliciano Lopez at the 2016 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Thursday.