Djokovic beats Robredo 6-2, 6-2 in 1st match in 3 weeks

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) 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.

The 34-year-old Lopez, the oldest player in the draw, is playing in Dubai for the 10th time. He reached the final in 2004 and 2008.

Also, 66th-ranked Chung Hyeon of South Korea beat 39th-ranked Andreas Seppi of Italy 6-3, 6-4.