Classy Novak Djokovic praises Hubert Hurkacz after Dubai match: Very lovable guy

• Tennis News
• Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic spoke extremely highly of Hubert Hurkacz following their Dubai match as he praised the Pole's personality and game. On Thursday, top-seeded Djokovic saw off 11th-ranked Hurkacz 6-3 7-5. Djokovic, who now owns a 5-0 head-to-head against Hurkacz, insisted the Pole was "a challenging opponent like always." "It was a challenging match as it always is against Hubert.

One of the best guys on the Tour, definitely. Fantastic personality. Very lovable guy, a great relationship with everyone. He’s always respectful. I wish him all the best for the rest of the season," Djokovic said, per the ATP website.

Djokovic: It definitely wasn't easy against Hurkacz

The first break points of the match were seen in the fourth game, when Djokovic broke Hurkacz for a 3-1 lead. Up by an early break, Djokovic held on to his serve for the rest of the first set to clinch the opener.

In the second set, not a single break point was seen through the first 10 games of the second set. Then, Djokovic earned the first break points in the 11th game - Hurkacz saved the first four break points in the game before the Serb finally converted his fifth break point to take a 6-5 lead.

In the following game, Djokovic served out for the win. "I think he’s got one of the best serves in the game, so in the second set until that 11th game in the second set, I didn’t really have too many chances against his serve.

He was winning his service games comfortably. Fortunately for me, I also found the rhythm on my serve throughout the second set and held my serve. Love-30 at 5-4 for him, found a couple of good serves, good plays. Really one or two points can always decide [the winner] of matches like this.

There’s not much that is separating both players. But I’m really, really glad with the way I played under pressure," Djokovic explained.