Djokovic delivers statement of intent to reach semi-finals at Dubai Tennis Championships

It may have taken three matches but Novak Djokovic finally delivered a statement of intent at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Thursday by defeating Hubert Hurkacz in the quarter-finals.

Djokovic, the top seed, was strangely subdued in his first-round win over qualifier Tomas Machac - needing a third-set tiebreak to prevail - and while he was much improved in the second round against world No 39 Tallon Griekspoor, it still contained uncharacteristic lapses and errors.

Yet, when faced with a significant step up in quality, Djokovic delivered. It wasn't that the world No 1 necessarily dominated the sixth-seeded Hurkacz, more that he just looked so comfortable in his 6-3, 7-5 victory; rarely troubled, always in control, one of those all-too familiar performances where he cruised along in third gear and only revved into fourth when the moment called for it.

Playing against a player of Hurkacz's calibre and with the big weapons the Pole possesses, chances are usually at a premium and so it transpired for the majority of this match on Centre Court, a break in each set proving the difference.

Djokovic looked like he finally got a read on Hurkacz's massive serve in the 11th game of the second set and finally earned the deserved break at the fifth attempt before closing out the victory on serve with ease.

It was Djokovic's 15th straight win to start the year, following titles in Adelaide and at the Australian Open, and he is now just two wins away from a sixth trophy in Dubai.

"It was a challenging match again Hubert, like it always is," Djokovic, 35, said on court. "I think he's got one of the best serves in the game, so in the second set until the 11th game I didn't have too many chances. Fortunately I was able to