Andrey Rublev recovers from slow start to Dubai Tennis Championships title defence

Popular Tunisian Malek Jaziri signs off final match of his career with defeat to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina

Andrey Rublev during his straight-sets win over Filip Krajinovic at rthe Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. Reuters

Andrey Rublev fought back from a slow start to his Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships title defence by defeating Filip Krajinovic 7-5, 6-2 in the first round on Monday.

Rublev, seeded second this week, found himself 0-3 and 2-5 down but rallied to win five straight games to take the opening set. From there, the Russian settled into the match to claim victory after one hour and 29 minutes.

In the earlier matches, there was no triumphant return to Dubai for popular Tunisian Malek Jaziri, who was soundly beaten 6-2, 6-0 by Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the last match of his career.

A crowd favourite and regular participant at the Dubai tournament, 39-year-old Jaziri, a wildcard entrant, has enjoyed some of his finest moments at this event, reaching the semi-finals here in 2018. Davidovich Fokina will face Rublev in the second round.

“Dubai has been a special place for me. I have a lot of good memories,” Jaziri said. “That's why I wanted to finish here in Dubai. I would like to thank the tournament, Dubai Duty Free, and [tournament director] Salah Tahlak for the opportunity to play here for my last competition.

“A lot of emotion. It's like all my memories from the last maybe 12 years, they came back in three seconds, all the matches I played here,” he added. “I played most of the No 1s in the world, most seeded No 1s of the tournament. I have flashbacks, wow.

“When you know that it going to be your last tournament, it's very special. I cannot describe it because it's not only emotional, it's something you don't know what's next actually, after.

“It means a lot to a lot of people because Dubai gave me a lot, not only for this year; for many years I have been here playing, a lot of Tunisian fans, a lot of the Arab world.”

Also in action on the opening day, Australia's Thanasi Kokkinakis continued his promising form in the Middle East by beating Frenchman Quentin Halys 6-4, 7-6 following an epic 20-point tiebreak.

Kokkinakis arrived in Dubai after winning a Challenger Tour title in Bahrain and with his victory he has now won six straight matches.

Italy's Lorenzo Sonego was the first winner on the day, defeating Swiss Marc-Andrea Huesler 7-5, 6-3, while Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor progressed to the second round with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 win over France's Constant Lestienne.

Day 2 will see world No 1 Novak Djokovic begin his bid for a sixth Dubai title, although there will be no Andy Murray after the tournament announced the withdrawal of the three-time Grand Slam champion due to a hip injury.