Djokovic dominates Tsitsipas to win fifth Dubai trophy and 79th career title
DUBAI United Arab Emirates (AFP) — Novak Djokovic captured his 79th career title yesterday when he won the Dubai Championships for the fifth time, defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-4 in the final.
The world number one is now on an 18-0 winning run this season, and 21-0 overall since late 2019, as he ended an eight-match win streak for his Greek opponent, who was champion last weekend in Marseille.
Djokovic claimed his third trophy of 2020 after helping Serbia to the ATP Cup and winning an eighth Australian Open.
It is also the seventh time that the 32-year-old has won more than 20 matches on the trot.
Tsitsipas lost his second-straight final in Dubai after going down to Roger Federer a year ago.
“It was close in both sets,” Djokovic said. “A few points decided it, I’ve had a great week.”
Djokovic broke for 5-3 in the opening set and served it out moments later.
The second set was slightly tighter, with the Serbian losing a break as Tsitsipas levelled at 3-all.
But Djokovic came through again with a break for 5-4 as his opponent hit the net.
A game later, Djokovic was lifting another trophy as he found the corner with a winner.
Djokovic will stay number one on the ATP rankings tomorrow to start a 280th week atop the table.
He was playing the final in Dubai for a sixth time in 11 appearances. It was, however, his first final at the tournament since 2015 when he lost to Federer.
Coming into the championship match, the 21-year-old Greek had lost just one set this week.
Djokovic was also awarded a ‘golden visa’ by the Dubai Government and has agreed to return to defend his title in 2021.