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Competing for the first time in 2022, world no. 1 Novak Djokovic made a winning start in Dubai with a win over Lorenzo Musetti. Novak is seeking the sixth Dubai crown, claiming the fifth in 2020 over Stefanos Tsitsipas. Novak defeated Stefanos 6-3, 6-4 in an hour and 17 minutes for his first Dubai trophy since 2013 and the 79th ATP title.
Djokovic lost serve once and grabbed three return games from as many chances to emerge at the top a day after fending off three match points against Gael Monfils. Novak forced Stefanos' error to grab the encounter's first game, and the Greek fired three winners in game two to get his name on the scoreboard.
Djokovic sprayed a forehand mistake at 2-2 to offer his rival a break chance, saving it with a well-constructed attack and bringing the game home after Tsitsipas' forehand error.
Novak Djokovic claimed the sixth Dubai Open crown in 2020.
Stefanos, who played in the second consecutive Dubai final, fired a service winner and another from his backhand in game six to lock the result at 3-3.
Novak secured the seventh game with a service winner and created the first break chance a couple of minutes later when the youngster sent a backhand wide. The Serb passed the Greek with a brilliant backhand crosscourt winner to seize the break and open a 5-3 gap.
Serving for the set, Novak landed a backhand winner to secure the opener in 39 minutes and move closer to his sixth Dubai crown. From 30-0 down, Stefanos grabbed four straight points to close the second set's first game before Novak held at love for 1-1.
The Greek claimed the third game with a service winner before the Serb broke him at 15 at 2-2 with a smash winner to move a set and a break up. Tsitsipas earned two break chances in the next one after a perfect drop shot and seized the first to lock the result at 3-3 and secure more drama.
Stefanos moved 4-3 up with an unreturned serve and gained a boost ahead of the finishing stages. Novak stayed calm, though, and held at love to level the score at 4-4 and send the pressure to the other side. Djokovic stole Tsitsipas' serve at 15 in the ninth game, moving 5-4 up and serving for the title.
Novak held at love with a backhand down the line winner to seal the deal in style and lift the first crown in the desert in seven years.