Novak Djokovic has won his opening match of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship by defeating Gael Monfils in three sets.
The Serbian world number one began the match with a trademark backhand down the line in the opening point before going on to claim the first set 6-2.
Monfils hit back in the second as both players produced entertaining rallies in front of a jubilant Abu Dhabi crowd.
The Frenchman took the tie to a third set after securing the second 6-4, although he continually produced crowd-pleasing efforts where he could have finished a point off.
In the third set the match looked more like a proper tour encounter, with both players fighting to claim victory but it was Djokovic who broke twice to close it out 6-2.
Djokovic, 24, will face Roger Federer in the semi-finals of the exhibition event.
