Nole will play in his tenth quarter-final on the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters on Friday.
High 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 finest on Thursday, however he did sufficient to triumph. Musetti led by a break within the first set. Nonetheless, 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 larger depth within the second to advance after one hour and 59 minutes.
“I don’t assume I’m nonetheless at my prime degree however it was an important take a look at at this time towards an important participant, a really proficient participant,” Djokovic mentioned. “I misplaced to him final yr 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 once I was serving at 4-2, 40/15 and misplaced my serve at this time. I believed, ‘Oh no, hopefully this isn’t related state of affairs like final yr’. I’m actually glad to beat the problem and look ahead to the subsequent 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 trying to find his first trophy of the season.
Photograph: Profimedia
