Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships 2022 - Jannik Sinner saves three match points, Dan Evans loses to Andrey Rublev

Jannik Sinner squeezed past Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, while Britain's Dan Evans crashed out to Andrey Rublev at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Tuesday. Sinner saved three match points as he almost lost to Davidovich Fokina. The fourth seed was able to hold on in the second-set tie-break and ultimately won the first round contest 4-6 7-6(6) 6-3.

Ad/> “It was a very tough match,” The Italian said Sinner after the win. Tennis'Tennis better when Djokovic plays' — Murray wants to see world number one back at major events6 HOURS AGO “I know him, but we’ve never played against each other. It was the first time for both of us and it was a tricky one, saving three match points.

On the first one I got lucky because it was out, but not so far.” /> Sinner is the world No. 10 but found the Spaniard, ranked 33 places below him, offering tough resistance. Five consecutive points won when 6-3 down helped him take the match to a third set, and that comeback gave him the momentum to push on to victory.

“It was a great start to the season,” he continued. “I played well in Australia, now I’ve had some time off, changed some things and obviously I always try to go on court and try to improve. That’s my main goal, so let’s see how it goes.” 'I can't enter the United States' — Djokovic set to miss Indian Wells in March 'Tennis better when Djokovic plays' — Murray wants to see world number one back at major events Zverev beats Brooksby at 4.55am to set record for latest-ever finish The win means that the 20-year-old will face Andy Murray in the second round.