Novak Djokovic made a winning return to tennis in his first match since being deported from Australia as the men’s world No 1 defeated Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets at the Dubai Duty Free Championships.

Djokovic, who was cheered on by a supportive crowd in Dubai, made light work of the 19-year-old Musetti to seal a 6-3 6-3 win in what was his first match in three months following the controversy that surrounded his Covid-19 vaccination status at the Australian Open last month.

The Serbian missed the opening grand slam of the year amid a battle in the Australian courts over his exemption for the vaccine that ultimately saw him deported from the country ahead of the tournament on “health and safety” grounds.

Djokovic, who remains unvaccinated, has said he is prepared to miss future grand slams over his stance but was able to enter the tournament in Dubai, a tournament where he is a five-time champion.

The world No 1 was welcomed onto the court and the crowd chanted ‘Novak, Novak!’ upon the 20-time major champion taking the opening break of serve midway through the first set.

Djokovic had not played a competitive match since the Davis Cup finals in early December of last year but it did not take long for the Serbian to get back up to speed as he swiftly saw off the challenge of the highly-rated Musetti.

Follow live reaction from Djokovic vs Musetti – after Andy Murray outlasted Chris O’Connell in three sets

Djokovic vs Musetti

• Novak Djokovic set for first match since being deported from Australia

• World No 1 faces Italian Lorenzo Musetti in last 16 match, following Murray vs O’Connell

• Frustrated Murray loses first set to O’Connell on tie-break

• Murray breaks O’Connell twice to force deciding set

• Murray defeats O’Connell in three-set epic

• Djokovic defeats Musetti 6-3 6-3 to make winning return

Djokovic 6-3 6-3 Musetti – Game, set and match

19:42 , Jamie Braidwood

After the win, there’s the trademark celebration. There are certainly plenty of Djokovic fans in the crowd tonight.

Story continues

Asked if he enjoyed himself on his return to the court, Djokovic replies: “Very much so.

“I couldn’t ask for a better reception. It’s been a while since my last match but I couldn’t have picked a better place to kick-start the season. It was the best possible experience tonight. Thank you for your reception and for welcoming me on the court in the way you did.

“All in all, it’s a straight-sets win so I have to be satisfied with my performance. After not playing for three months, of course there were moments where I played great, moments where I made a couple of unforced errors in a row, uncharacteristically.

“But it’s normal to expect that, first match after a while. But I’m glad I could finish off the match against a talented player.”

Djokovic 6-3 6-3 Musetti – Game, set and match

19:37 , Jamie Braidwood

Djokovic could finish it here – and he does! Musetti sends a shot long as Djokovic seals the break. Emphatic stuff from the Serbian.

Djokovic 6-3 5-3 Musetti*

19:34 , Jamie Braidwood

Djokovic is almost there. His latest hold was much more straight forward than his previous one. Musetti finds the net before Djokovic plays a super backhand pass off the Italian’s return. Musetti then drags a shot wide after Djokovic clips the net cord, as he holds to love.

Djokovic 6-3 4-2 Musetti*

19:27 , Jamie Braidwood

Djokovic finds himself 15-30 down his serve after sticking an overhead into the net, before a double fault sets up a break point for Musetti at 30-40.

Djokovic turns to the serve and volley to get back to deuce, but a loose backhand drifts wide to set up another chance for Musetti to break back.

And there was a chance for Musetti, after Djokovic approached the net and left a lob open, but the Italian sends the shot long of the baseline.

Another error from Djokovic sets up another chance for Musetti, but there’s nothing the Italian can do about an ace down the middle, as Djokovic turns to roar at his box.

Djokovic screams again as Musetti goes long – before he claims the hold with a wicked forehand that Musetti can’t keep in play.

Djokovic 6-3 3-1 Musetti*

19:15 , Jamie Braidwood

Too good from Djokovic. After taking a 0-40 lead on the Musetti serve, Djokovic slams a backhand winner down the line to claim the first break of the second set.

It’s quickly consolidated as Djokovic continues to impress on his serve.

Djokovic 6-3 1-1 Musetti*

19:09 , Jamie Braidwood

The wind is picking up a little in Dubai as Djokovic faces an awkward point at 30-30. But Djokovic finds the first serve and follows it up with the backhand down the line, as Musetti sends the return long.

Djokovic 6-3 Musetti*

19:00 , Jamie Braidwood

A flick of the wrist from Djokovic sees him set up three set points with a backhand down the line, and the opening set is quickly secured as Musetti goes long.

It didn’t take long, but Djokovic looks back to speed.

Djokovic 5-2 Musetti*

18:54 , Jamie Braidwood

It feels like Djokovic has hit his stride now. The Serbian holds to love in impressive fashion to move a game away from the opening set.

Djokovic 4-1 Musetti*

18:47 , Jamie Braidwood

Where did this come from? Musetti threatens to hit straight back as he builds on an early winner at the net to set up 0-40 on Djokovic’s serve.

Djokovic finds three first serves in a row, though, and Musetti can’t respond or gain control of the points as the Serbian gets back to deuce.

Djokovic then seals the hold with a flying volley. Simple.

*Djokovic 3-1 Musetti – Djokovic breaks

18:42 , Jamie Braidwood

Shot of the match so far from Djokovic. After a comfortable hold of serve, the world No 1 races to pick up a Musetti drop shot and find the angle to move to 0-30.

Musetti hits back with an ace and another good first serve moves him back to 30-30, but the Italian then frames a second serve to hand Djokovic a break point.

On a second serve, Djokovic goes long as Musetti holds on. Musetti is then able to blast his way past Djokovic at the net, but Djokovic comes back to set up another break point.

And this time he gets through, as Musetti sees a backhand drift wide.

‘Novak, Novak!’ cry the crowd.

*Djokovic 1-1 Musetti

18:31 , Jamie Braidwood

Credit to Musetti, who stares down the barrel of a 0-30 start on his opening service game against Djokovic to land a winner out wide and a volley at the net.

Djokovic nets on the final point but this has been a fast and exciting start.

Djokovic 1-0 Musetti*

18:29 , Jamie Braidwood

What a start from Musetti! He flashes a forehand past Djokovic to win the opening point of the match on the Serbian’s serve, before unloading on a forehand winner to move to 0-30!

The Italian, who is just 19, can’t keep a forehand in play on the next point, which was a chance on the Djokovic second serve. Djokovic then lands his first winner of the match as he opens up a forehand winner across court.

Djokovic is then able to wrap up the game with a couple of simple points, sealed by a Musetti error into the net.

Novak Djokovic vs Lorenzo Musetti

18:19 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic is back on a tennis court ahead of a competitive match. The world No 1 is given a welcoming reception from the crowd in Dubai as he follows Lorenzo Musetti out onto the court, and there are chants of ‘Novak, Novak’ during the coin toss.

There are plenty of Serbian flags in the stands, too.

Novak Djokovic to follow Andy Murray

18:10 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic was expected to be on court at around 4:30pm this afternoon but Andy Murray has pushed the schedule back.

He will be back on court against Lorenzo Musetti next.

Murray defeats O’Connell in three-set epic

18:08 , Jamie Braidwood

Murray: “I enjoyed the result. What went on in the middle was not so easy. I was very frustrated early in the match and I couldn’t find my game. I was able to serve better as the match went on and that helped and I turned it on at the end.

“Winning matches like that is very satisfying.”

Murray defeats O’Connell in three-set epic

18:06 , Jamie Braidwood

Murray 6-7, 6-4, 7-5 O’Connell

Murray makes a great start on O’Connell’s serve as he wins the opening point at the net, before O’Connell sends a wild forehand wide.

AND WOW – how has Murray done that?! Chasing down not one, but two O’Connell smashes, Murray hangs in there before reaching a drop shot and flicking the winner down the line!

It sets up three match points – O’Connell saves the first, but a wild forehand from O’Connell seals it!

Andy Murray is through to the second round – in two hours and 51 minutes!

Murray vs O’Connell updates ahead of Djokovic return

18:01 , Jamie Braidwood

Murray 6-7, 6-4, 6-5 O’Connell*

O’Connell finds himself under pressure at 30-30 after a loose couple of forehands but digs himself out of trouble as he forces Murray to net.

Murray then holds to love in less than 90 seconds, which is welcomed after the marathon previous game that saw him save four break points.

We’re heading for a deciding tie-break unless Murray can get the break of serve next.

Murray vs O’Connell updates ahead of Djokovic return

17:53 , Jamie Braidwood

Murray 6-7, 6-4, 5-4 O’Connell*

Murray is so frustrated out there. After being in a decent position on serve, O’Connell hits back to force a break point. Murray saves it after playing a daring drop shot, but O’Connell brings him short with a drop shot of his own as Murray kicks the net in anger.

Murray saves the second, only to find himself yelling at his box after another shot drifts long. Murray waits for O’Connell to make the mistake as he saves the third, before moving to game point with a delicate drop shot at the net.

Murray can’t get himself in the clear, however, and he drops in a double fault to bring up a fourth break point for O’Connell. The Australian then has a huge chance on a Murray second-serve but hits the forehand into the net as he looked for a winner.

And finally, Murray whips a forehand winner down the line to take the hold. Just.

Murray vs O’Connell updates ahead of Djokovic return

17:39 , Jamie Braidwood

*Murray 6-7, 6-4, 4-4 O’Connell

There’s the latest sign of agitation from Murray, as he passes up the chance to attack the O’Connell second serve at 0-15 with a backhand that missed the line, before shouting ‘Why?!’ into the night sky.

It was a chance, and O’Connell moves on with the hold with a lovely pick-up at the net.

Murray vs O’Connell updates ahead of Djokovic return

17:34 , Jamie Braidwood

Murray 6-7, 6-4, 4-3 O’Connell*

After O’Connell is the latest player to cruise through a service game, Murray drops in a double fault but responds well with a forehand down the line to move to 40-15.

O’Connell then chucks in a loose backhand down the line as Murray moves on with the hold.

At two hours, 20 minutes, this is not the straight-forward opening match that many expected when Murray was drawn against the Australian qualifier.

Murray vs O’Connell updates ahead of Djokovic return

17:27 , Jamie Braidwood

Murray 6-7, 6-4, 3-2 O’Connell*

Murray fires himself up after O’Connell gets his teeth into a service game for the first time since the opening set. After O’Connell hit a winner down the line and Murray dropped a double fault to bring up deuce, he finds the first serves required to pull him out of danger.

Murray vs O’Connell updates ahead of Djokovic return

17:23 , Jamie Braidwood

*Murray 6-7, 6-4, 2-2 O’Connell

After holding to love, Murray turns the pressure onto O’Connell’s serve but lets out his first shout of frustration in a while as he sees a backhand drift long at 30-30. Another unforced error at deuce lets O’Connell of the hook and he is able to escape with a hold as he finds just a second ace of the match.

Murray vs O’Connell updates ahead of Djokovic return

17:13 , Jamie Braidwood

*Murray 6-7, 6-4, 1-1 O’Connell

Murray outlasts O’Connell to hold serve in the opening game of the decider, winning the point of the match so far with a volley at the net after scrambling to keep a O’Connell smash in play.

O’Connell is then able to outmanoeuvre Murray on a couple of points in the next game to hold to love. There really isn’t much to separate these players two games into the deciding set.

Murray vs O’Connell updates ahead of Djokovic return

17:01 , Jamie Braidwood

*Murray 6-7, 6-4 O’Connell

Murray races through his service game to love – meaning he has still just dropped five points on serve so far this set.

O’Connell finds himself needing to hold to stay in the set but is able to to get to 30-0 with a forehand winner.

An error from O’Connell is followed by the shot of the match from Murray! He races to get down to an O’Connell volley before whipping the forehand winner down the line.

O’Connell slumps a shot into the net and that brings up set point – brilliant depth there from Murray as O’Connell balloons a backhand out of the court.

And we’re heading to a decider.

Murray vs O’Connell updates ahead of Djokovic return

16:52 , Jamie Braidwood

*Murray 6-7, 4-3 O’Connell

Murray cruises through his next service game with a forehand winner and ace lightening the load and easing the pressure.

Another break of serve would do nicely, and he claims the first point on the O’Connell serve with a well constructed opener, sealed with a backhand drop shot at the net.

O’Connell responds by opening his body to find the forehand winner across court, followed by a smash.

Murray hangs on to get to 30-30 but is soon annoyed with himself after missing on a forehand out wide.

Murray vs O’Connell updates ahead of Djokovic return

16:44 , Jamie Braidwood

*Murray 6-7, 3-2 O’Connell

Murray and O’Connell quickly trade holds of serves, with the Australian hitting a lovely backhand winner to seal his service game on the last point.

O’Connell is showing signs of settling again after a loose game to open this second set. He’ll look to attack the Murray serve again next.

Murray vs O’Connell updates ahead of Djokovic return

16:38 , Jamie Braidwood

*Murray 6-7, 2-1 O’Connell

After that promising opening game, the errors continue to mount for Murray as he quickly finds himself facing break point on his serve.

He claws himself out of trouble, though, and is able to seal the hold with an ace out wide. Murray then seemed to be limping slightly as he awaited O’Connell’s first serve.

O’Connell is then able to get onto the board with a hold to love.

Murray vs O’Connell updates ahead of Djokovic return

16:27 , Jamie Braidwood

*Murray 6-7, 1-0 O’Connell

Murray received a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct at the end of that opening set – it only came after the fifth racket smash from the Scot.

He gets off to a great start in O’Connell’s opening service game, however, firing a winner into the corner as O’Connell misses on the next point.

Another winner from Murray sets up three break points and O’Connell can’t keep up as Murray increases the tempo of his groundstrokes as he sends a forehand wide.

He gets the opening break.

Murray vs O’Connell updates ahead of Djokovic return

16:16 , Jamie Braidwood

*Murray 6-7 O’Connell

Murray is an inch away from a opening ace but wins the point anyway as O’Connell fires wide. Murray then drops a shot short and is able to pass O’Connell with a forehand up the line, before he plays his best point of the match so far as he rushes the net to put away the volley.

Murray rushes the net again but O’Connell is able to find the angle on the backhand, before O’Connell fires an ace straight up the middle to get back on terms at 3-3.

O’Connell stays patient to outlast Murray on the next point – the longest rally of the match so far. The Australian sends a forehand winner past Murray, which is followed by another smash of his racket.

Murray finds a good angle on his backhand to get back to 4-4, before O’Connell drops a lovely return into Murray’s feet to get the mini-break at 4-5.

Murray sends a backhand long of the baseline – cue another swipe with his racket – before O’Connell seals the opening set with a serve that Murray can’t return.

Murray smashes his racket in frustration – again – after a messy opening set. He had chances to break O’Connell throughout but his accuracy let him down.

Murray vs O’Connell updates ahead of Djokovic return

16:15 , Jack Rathborn

Murray vs O’Connell updates ahead of Djokovic return

16:12 , Jamie Braidwood

*Murray 6-6 O’Connell

The errors from both players continue into Murray’s next service game, but the 34-year-old gets the hold as O’Connell nets.

And we race towards the first-set tiebreak as O’Connell comes out aggressive and lands a couple of early winners.

Two further errors from Murray earns the Australian the hold to love – as we move into the tie-break.

Murray vs O’Connell updates ahead of Djokovic return

16:05 , Jamie Braidwood

*Murray 5-5 O’Connell

O’Connell blinks! At 15-30, the Australian gets tight as he sends a forehand into the net to set up two break points for Murray.

Murray sees the first chance slide by as he makes another error on break point, pulling a forehand wide as he looked for the line.

But he does get the break, at last, as O’Connell nets again on the forehand side. Thankfully, for Murray, he didn’t need to keep it in court there.

Murray vs O’Connell updates ahead of Djokovic return

16:00 , Jamie Braidwood

*Murray 4-5 O’Connell

Murray finds himself in a spot of bother at 15-30, as O’Connell goes on the attack with a succession of driving groundstrokes into the corners. Murray’s coverage is good, but he’s unable to get much on the returns, as O’Connell steps in to power the winner past him and set up two break points.

The frustration finally boils over from Murray as he smashes his racket off the court. O’Connell is inches away from the break with a short return, but another forehand miss from Murray hands him to game on the next point.

Murray went looking for the winner with a flying forehand out wide but it drifted a foot wide. Murray smashes his racket again and O’Connell is one hold away from the opening set.

Murray vs O’Connell updates ahead of Djokovic return

15:55 , Jamie Braidwood

*Murray 4-4 O’Connell

Murray moves on with a hold to love following the frustration of the previous game, keeping the pressure firmly on the O’Connell serve.

The Australian runs around a forehand to get back to 30-30, before Murray smashes away the ball following his latest unforced error at a crucial moment.

And there’s another, this time into the net as O’Connell moves on with another hold.

Murray vs O’Connell updates ahead of Djokovic return

15:47 , Jamie Braidwood

*Murray 3-3 O’Connell

O’Connell sends Murray chasing around the court as he swiftly moves to 40-15. But a drop shot into the net is followed by Murray’s shot of the match so far, a forehand down the line that lands perfectly in the corner, to set up deuce.

Under pressure, O’Connell nets on a forehand – but is let off the hook as Murray pushes a presentable backhand on a O’Connell second serve wide.

The errors continue as O’Connell fires wide with Murray on the run, before Murray misses again, this time on the forehand side.

A beautiful lob from Murray sets up a third break point but the frustration continues as Murray makes another unforced error.

And O’Connell holds on after Murray challenges a shot that clipped the line. He had his chances there but couldn’t take them.

Murray vs O’Connell updates ahead of Djokovic return

15:35 , Jamie Braidwood

Murray 3-2 O’Connell*

O’Connell sends Murray running with a whipped forehand into the corner, then putting away the smash, before he seals his hold with a serve out wide that Murray can’t return on the stretch.

A double fault from Murray puts him in a spot of trouble at 0-30, but O’Connell’s return is loose and drifts wide, before his one-handed backhand misfires and gets Murray back level.

But Murray soon finds himself under pressure again, and it’s all of his own making as two consecutive backhands find the net to set up break point. Murray finds an ace out wide, before O’Connell blinks first on the longest rally of the match as he sends a backhand long.

A difficult game, but he eventually earns the hold as O’Connell can’t return a serve down the middle.

Murray vs O’Connell updates ahead of Djokovic return

15:25 , Jamie Braidwood

Murray 2-1 O’Connell*

Decent stuff from Murray so far, settling into his forehand to open the angles and force a couple of errors from O’Connell.

The first serve is working nicely, too, with O’Connell yet to win a point against it.

Murray vs O’Connell updates ahead of Djokovic return

15:19 , Jamie Braidwood

An opening hold of serve for Murray, sealed as a backhand slice from O’Connell drifts long of the baseline.

Murray landed an opening ace and was strong behind his first serve, while O’Connell’s biggest weapon is his forehand.

Murray vs O’Connell updates ahead of Djokovic return

15:14 , Jamie Braidwood

Andy Murray has Daniel Vallverdu, the former coach of Stan Wawrinka, in his corner this week.

Vallverdu used to be part of Murray’s team between 2010 and 2014 and is back helping the Scot as he continues his search a next permanent coach.

Murray won the toss and has elected to serve first against O’Connell.

Murray vs O’Connell updates ahead of Djokovic return

15:04 , Jamie Braidwood

It’s been five years since Andy Murray won the title at the Dubai Duty Free championships, defeating Fernando Verdasco in the final.

The 34-year-old is making his way out onto the court now ahead of his first career meeting with O’Connell.

Murray faces qualifier Chris O’Connell in opening round

14:54 , Jamie Braidwood

Murray was handed a wildcard in the Dubai main draw and the world No 89 has received a favourable opening match against the Australian qualifier Chris O’Connell.

O’Connell, the world No 158, reached the third round of the Australian Open on home soil last month, defeating the No 13 seed Diego Schwartzman along the way.

Murray would be expected to progress through to the second round, where a tough last-16 tie against Jannik Sinner could await.

Murray vs O’Connell gets underway shortly in Dubai.

British hopes at Dubai Duty Free

14:43 , Jamie Braidwood

Rublev faces a tough opening round opponent, though, after being drawn against British No 1 and world No 28 Dan Evans.

Evans suffered a last-16 exit in Qatar last week, which was at the same stage that Andy Murray had his straight-sets defeat to Bautista Agut.

The 6-0, 6-1 demolition was Murray’s heaviest on the ATP Tour since 2014 and it rather took the shine off his opening victory over Taro Daniel.

Djokovic faces tough draw in Dubau

14:36 , Jamie Braidwood

Djokovic is a five-time champion in Dubai – only Roger Federer has won the tournament more – but the Serbian has been handed a tough draw at the Duty Free Tennis championship.

Karen Khachanov awaits in the second round if he can get past the talented young Italian Lorenzo Musetti this afternoon. Looking further down the line, a quarter-final meeting with the in-form Roberto Bautista Agut could await him, with the Spaniard winning the title last week in Qatar.

Felix Auger-Aliassime could have been his semi-final opponent but the Canadian has withdrawn from the tournament with a back injury. Auger-Aliassime was defeated in the final of the Marseille Open by Andrey Rublev on Sunday, and the Russian is the top seed in the bottom half of the draw.

Djokovic will be ‘first to congratulate’ Medvedev if replaced as world No 1

14:25 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic says he will be happy for Daniil Medvedev if his long run as world No 1 comes to an end this week.

“I know that he’s very close and it depends what I do here,” Djokovic said upon arriving in Dubai.

“I’m not aware of all the different scenarios but the only scenario I have in my head is to win every match that I play here.”

When informed of the permutations, Djokovic said: “It’s in his hands but he deserves to be No 1.

“Eventually it’s going to happen and if it happens this week I’ll be the first one to congratulate him.”

Novak Djokovic faces fight to keep world number one ranking

14:15 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic could be knocked off world No 1 this week, with Daniil Medvedev aiming to become the latest men’s player to top the tennis singles rankings.

After controversially missing out on the Australian Open in January, Djokovic is set to return to the court at the Dubai Duty Free Championship this afternoon.

The Serbian does not require to be vaccinated to compete in Dubai but has revealed that he is prepared to miss both the French Open and Wimbledon over his stance.

Djokovic could also miss ATP 1000 tournaments at Indian Wells, California and Miami, Florida next month, which could mean a significant shift in the men’s world rankings.

The top spot is up for grabs this month, however, and men’s tennis will have a new No 1 for the first time in two years if Medvedev betters Djokovic’s result in Dubai.

Medvedev, who defeated Djokovic at the US Open final last September before reaching the Australian Open final last month, is competing at a ATP 500 event in Acapulco, Mexico.

Medvedev will become world No 1 if he wins the tournament, or if Djokovic fails to better his result. Djokovic, who is joined by Felix Auger-Aliassime, Andrey Rublev and Jannik Sinner at the tournament in Dubai, holds the record for the most weeks spent at No 1.

Daniil Medvedev could knock Novak Djokovic off No 1 this month

Novak Djokovic mocked by Ryanair over comments on vaccine stance

13:55 , Jack Rathborn

Novak Djokovic’s latest comments on whether he would receive the Covid-19 vaccine have been mocked – by budget airline Ryanair.

It comes after Djokovic gave his first interview since being deported from Australia last month following a row over his medical exemption for the vaccine.

The men’s world No 1 told the BBC that although he is “keeping his mind open” about getting a Covid vaccine in the future, he would be prepared to miss this year’s French Open and Wimbledon tournaments over his “principles”.

Ryanair mocks Novak Djokovic’s comments on vaccine stance

Novak Djokovic trains in Dubai ahead of first match since deportation from Australian

13:38 , Jack Rathborn

Novak Djokovic previews return to court at Dubai Duty Free Tennis championship

13:19 , Jack Rathborn

Djokovic maintains he is at “peak” performance ahead of his return to tour at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis championship.

“It wasn’t really difficult for me to pick up a racket and go out and practice the sport and just play. I’m as well prepared as I possibly can be,” the Serbian said.

“There were lots of emotions after I came back from Australia. It was strange. I was disappointed, I was sad about the way it all has played out and the way I left the country.

“Whatever tournament I’ll be able to play I’ll be trying to get to that country and play that tournament. I really can’t choose. It’s really about where I can go and play.

“Having previous positive experiences on the court and titles obviously connects me to this place even more. We’ll play this tournament and see how it goes further down the line.”