World no.1 Novak Djokovic set to face Medvedev in semifinals of Dubai Tennis Championship

Novak Djokovic (source: Twitter)

On Thursday, the world's number one Novak Djokovic, and Alexander Zverev qualified for the semifinals of the Dubai Tennis Championship after winning their respective games in straight sets. Twenty-two-time grand slam champion Novak continued his quest for a sixth title in Dubai by defeating fifth-seeded Pole Hubert Hurkacz in two straight sets of 6-3, 7-5 in an hour and twenty-one minutes.

On the other hand, Seventh-seeded Zverev defeated world No. 67 Lorenzo Sonego of Italy in two straight sets of 7-5, 6-4 in an hour and 52 minutes to advance to the last four. Djokovic will face former world no. 1 Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals at the Dubai Championships. Defending Dubai champion Andrey Rublev will face Alexander Zverev in the other semifinal match.

Djokovic is competing in his first event since capturing his career-high 22nd Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open. When he won his tenth title at Melbourne Park, the 35-year-old Serb suffered a partially torn hamstring. Djokovic improved to 15-0 this season and hasn't lost since losing to Holger Rune in the Paris Masters final in November. He backed that up with a win in the ATP Finals in Turin.

Serbia star eyeing Gold at Paris 2024

Novak Djokovic, on Wednesday, said that he is already looking forward to the Olympic Games in Paris next year, where he hopes to earn a gold medal that has eluded him in an otherwise dazzling career. Notably, The Serbian world No. 1 won a bronze medal in Beijing in 2008, but since has been unable to capitalize on that success in 2012, 2016, and 2021 Olympics.

Novak stated that he intends to be ready for the showpiece next year when he will be 37 years old. "I'm excited about the Olympics," he remarked. It's going to be played on clay at Roland Garros, so I'm familiar with those grounds. I'm hoping for the best Olympic result for me there," he said.