Top 5 Photos (2/28): Down but not out, Djokovic's Dubai win



Match points were saved and losing streaks were cracked on the courts in Dubai and Doha. These are the Top 5 photos from Friday's semifinal action.* (All photos from Getty Images.)*

1

Down a set and three match points, Novak Djokovic proved too tough for Monfils once again The world No. 1 slid past No. 3 seed Gael Monfils, 2-6, 7-6 (8), 6-1, to boost his spotless record to 17-0 against the Frenchman. Djokovic's comeback win booked him a spot in the Dubai final.

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 28: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates winning his men's semi final match against Gael Monfils of France on Day 12 of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium on February 28, 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)
© Getty Images

2

Aryna Sabalenka posted a clean 6-4, 6-3 win against Svetlana Kuznetsova to claim her spot in the Doha final. Sabalenka, whose ball movement and aggressive style of play helped her to finish points at the net against the Russian, will face Petra Kvitova for the first premiere 5 title of the season.

DOHA, QATAR - FEBRUARY 28:  Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates winning match point against Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia in their semi final match during Day 6 of the WTA Qatar Total Open 2020 at Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex on February 28, 2020 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
© Getty Images

3

Kvitova snapped her four-match losing streak against world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty on Friday. The 2018 champion took risks and controlled most of the rallies to pull through, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, in Doha, her first final of the season.

DOHA, QATAR - FEBRUARY 28:  Petra Kvitova (L) of Czech Republic smiles after winning match point against Ashleigh Barty of Australia during Day 6 of the WTA Qatar Total Open 2020 at Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex on February 28, 2020 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
© Getty Images

4

Stefanos Tsitsipas started strong and didn't ease up at any point during his semifinal clash with Dan Evans. The Greek cruised, 6-2, 6-3, to enter his second final in as many weeks. The world No. 6 will next face Djokovic, who has yet to fall in 2020.

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 28: Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece plays a backhand during his men's semi final match against Daniel Evans of Great Britain on Day 12 of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium on February 28, 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)
© Getty Images

5

There weren't too many open seats for Monfils and Djokovic's semifinal clash in Dubai. Even though it was a rough day at the office for the Frenchman, the two Top 10 competitors gave the crowd an electric performance.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia serves the ball to Gael Monfils of France during the semifinals of Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship in the Gulf emirate of Dubai on February 28, 2020. (Photo by KARIM SAHIB / AFP) (Photo by KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images)
© AFP via Getty Images