Novak Djokovic closes in on 550th match win at Dubai Tennis Championships quarterfinals

World number two Novak Djokovic advanced to the quarterfinals of the Dubai Tennis Championships 2014 with a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Roberto Bautista Agut in match that just lasted 55 minutes. This is Djokovic’s 549th career win and a win in the quarterfinals against Mikhail Youzhny on Thursday would be a new milestone for the Serbian tennis superstar who will record his 550th career win after that.

“Mikhail has been around for a long time, and he has one of the nicest and most efficient one handed backhands on the tour. It seems a little bit unorthodox the way he holds his racquet, then [he] releases with two hands and in the end with one hand. But he’s a very talented player.”

Djokovic, a four-time champion in the event, could meet five-time champion Roger Federer in the semifinals should both win their respective matches on Thursday. When asked about his current partnership with head coach Boris Becker, here’s what he had to say:

“Whatever he’s trying to work on he discusses with all of us, and, of course, we all have a big respect for Boris. I’m really glad that he’s in the team, and I feel like he can contribute in a positive way to my game and to my mental approach on the court.”