DUBAI (AP) ― Top-ranked Novak Djokovic played his first match since winning the Australian Open, shaking off the rust to beat Cedrik-Marcel Stebe 6-4, 6-2 Monday in the first round of the Dubai Tennis Championships.

Marko Djokovic ― ranked 868 spots below his brother ― had a less successful day. The younger Djokovic, a wild-card entry into the tournament, was bounced in the opening round with a 6-3, 6-2 loss to Andrey Golubev of Kazakhstan.

A few hours before his victory, Novak Djokovic was courtside for his brother’s match.

Djokovic serves as a mentor of sorts for the 20-year-old Marko and said it was hard to watch his brother struggling. The five-time Grand Slam champion acknowledged it must be difficult for Marko and his other tennis-playing brother, 16-year-old Djordje, to deal with comparisons to their elder sibling.

“In the end, he has to face this, I guess, pressure in a way for having Djokovic surname,” Djokovic said of Marko. “All over the world where he plays tennis, I guess he has to face this pressure that is not necessary for him at this age. It’s his burden, and he’s very committed. He wants to succeed in tennis.”

Djokovic had not played a match in nearly four weeks ― and it showed at times. He broke Stebe to go up 1-0 but had to save two break points in the fourth game as he struggled with the German’s return game. Stebe pushed the set to 5-4 and deuce before Djokovic hit his first ace and another good serve which the German returned long.

Djokovic had an easier second set, breaking twice. The Serb won the match with his third ace and another serve that Stebe couldn’t return.