Nole will play in his tenth quarter-final on the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters on Friday.
Prime seed Novak Djokovic defeated Lorenzo Musetti 7-5, 6-3 within the third spherical, avenging his loss to the Italian in the identical stage of the competitors 12 months in the past.
The world’s top-ranked tennis participant was not at his greatest on Thursday, however he did sufficient to triumph. Musetti led by a break within the first set. Nevertheless, the Serbian ace discovered his rhythm and consistency in essential moments to seal the victory.
Novak gained the decisive break within the twelfth recreation of the primary set earlier than he performed with better depth within the second to advance after one hour and 59 minutes.
“I don’t suppose I’m nonetheless at my high degree but it surely was a fantastic check immediately towards a fantastic participant, a really proficient participant,” Djokovic stated. “I misplaced to him final 12 months right here, related circumstances. I used to be a set and 4-2 up and I need to say it was at the back of my thoughts after I was serving at 4-2, 40/15 and misplaced my serve immediately. I believed, ‘Oh no, hopefully this isn’t related situation like final 12 months’. I’m actually glad to beat the problem and stay up for the following one.”
Match statistics: aces (3-1), double faults (2-1), winners (18-18), unforced errors (23-26), complete factors gained (72-57).
Novak will subsequent meet eleventh seed Alex de Minaur (H2H 1-1) after the Australian beat his countryman Alexei Popyrin 6-3, 6-4.
Djokovic is a two-time titlist on the ATP Masters 1000 occasion (2013, 2015).
The 98-time tour-level champion remains to be looking for his first trophy of the season.
Picture: Profimedia
