Andrey Rublev began his Dubai Championships title defence by spoiling Filip Krajinovic's birthday when he won 7-5, 6-2.
Krajinovic, who turned 31, raced 5-2 ahead on Monday. The second-seeded Rublev then reeled off 11 of the next 13 games.
<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/other-sports/article/andrey-rublev-aryna-sabalenka-advance-to-australian-open-s-4th-round-23266575" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Rublev</a> next faces Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who beat Malek Jaziri in straight sets in the Tunisian's last pro match.
Also, Alexander Zverev beat Jiri Lehecka 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Lehecka won their first matchup in January in Sydney, and beat Rublev in Doha last week before blowing five match points against Andy Murray.
Zverev is still waiting to win consecutive matches this year in his comeback from an ankle injury.
Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/other-sports/article/rotterdam-open-andrey-rublev-alexander-zverev-crash-out-early-23270827" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Rotterdam Open: Andrey Rublev, Alexander Zverev crash out early</a>
These kind of matches are extremely important for me right now, Zverev said. I found a way to win.
<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/other-sports/article/andy-murray-hails-daniil-medvedev-after-defeat-in-final-23272524" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Murray</a>, the 2017 Dubai winner, pulled out of the event and cited a sore hip after toiling to reach the Doha final on Saturday. He lost to Daniil Medvedev, who is seeded third in Dubai.
Top-seeded Novak Djokovic plays his first match since winning the Australian Open, on Tuesday against Czech qualifier Tomas Machac.
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Andrey Rublev began his Dubai Championships title defence by spoiling Filip Krajinovic`s birthday when he won 7-5, 6-2

Rublev wins opening match of Dubai title defence

Rafael Nadal is still favourite to win French Open: Boris Becker

Andrey Rublev began his Dubai Championships title defence by spoiling Filip Krajinovic's birthday when he won 7-5, 6-2

Rublev wins opening match of Dubai title defence

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Rublev wins opening match of Dubai title defence

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