Novak Djokovic trounced fellow Serb Viktor Troicki 6-1, 6-4 in the Dubai Championships first round yesterday as the world number one extended his unbeaten run to 14 matches.

Djokovic, whose winning streak stretches back to October, was broken once in the second set but was otherwise untroubled in his first match since Davis Cup duty in early February.

Few would bet against the top seed meeting Roger Federer in Saturday’s final, with the pair having won eight of the past 10 Dubai titles, although the Swiss did need three sets to get past wild card Malek Jaziri on Monday.

Juan Martin Del Potro saved three match points on his way to beating Marcos Baghdatis 4-6, 6-4, 7-6.