Former No. 1 passed six out of competition drug tests before launching comeback.
The Serb is making his first appearance in Dubai in four years.
The stacked draw features the former champions in opposite halves.
The Austrian missed a chance to surpass Roger Federer in the ATP rankings.
The South African had his second knee surgery in six months.
David Goffin likes what he sees in compatriot Kim Clijsters' comeback.
The Canadian has saved multiple match points in consecutive matches at the Open 13 Provence.