Tuesday 24 February 2015 20:28, UK
Novak Djokovic received a decent workout as he returned to action with a 6-4 6-4 win over Vasek Pospisil in the first round of the Dubai Duty Free Championship.
The 27-year-old Serb has been absent since winning the Australian Open earlier this month and his stamina and temperament were tested by a spirited Canadian opponent.
Pospisil had made Andy Murray work for a win in Rotterdam last week, but he showed even more stubborn resistance against Djokovic, avoiding an early break with his booming serve.
The top seed gradually increased the pressure in the opening set, forcing Pospisil to net a backhand for a crucial break, and ruthlessly moved into a 1-0 lead.
Djokovic appeared to be making serene progress when he broke again at the start of the second, but then surrendered his own serve after a thrilling rally to tie the set up at 2-2.
Irritated by a line call, Djokovic could not conceal his frustration, and was forced to repel a string of break points while 3-2 down.
Pospisil’s moment had passed and he conceded another break with a wayward forehand before Djokovic set up a meeting with Andrey Golubev in the second round.
Fernando Verdasco is also safely through after a 7-5 6-1 win over compatriot Guillermo Garcia-Lopez and will next face defending champion Roger Federer.
