DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Playing his first match since winning the Australian Open, top-seeded Novak Djokovic beat Tommy Robredo of Spain 6-1, 6-2 on Monday in the first round of the Dubai Tennis Championships. Djokovic's victory brought him one match away from his 700th career singles match win.
Djokovic, a previous four-time champion in Dubai, never faced a break point against the 39th-ranked Robredo.
Djokovic's next opponent will be Tunisian wild-card entry Malek Jaziri, who won his first match of the year, beating Russian qualifier Mikhail Youzhny 6-4, 6-1.
Sixth-seeded Feliciano Lopez of Spain won his 400th career match, beating Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-1, 4-6, 6-4.