Novak Djokovic was not at his best on April 11 at the Monte-Carlo Masters as he looked sluggish at times and committed several unforced errors but he did enough to exact revenge against Lorenzo Musetti in the opening set at the ATP Masters 1000 clay-court event. At the same stage, the top-ranked Serbian suffered a shocking defeat to the Italian who beat him last year at the Country Club in the third round. With this win 7-5, 6-3 win, he also progressed to Monte Carlo Masters quarterfinals.
I lost to him last year here: Djokovic
“I lost to him last year here. Similar circumstances,” said Djokovic after winning the opening set.
"He lost focus a little bit. He was the better player for those first seven games, and played some great tennis. Played really good shots and made me run”, he added.
"But this is clay and obviously things can turn around very quickly and a break of serve is not as a big advantage on this surface compared to the other surfaces. We saw a little bit of a rollercoaster in the second set, so I am pleased that staying tough and aggressive in the tight moments paid off”, the 36-year-old further said.
Djokovic clinched the title in Monte Carlo in 2013 and 2015. He has not advanced past the quarterfinals since his last win at the Country Club nine years ago. In the other clash, Djokovic will meet Alex de Minaur, who defeated Alexei Popyrin 6-3, 6-4.
Jannik Sinner beat Jan-Lennard Struff
Meanwhile, world no. 2 Jannik Sinner also progressed to the quarterfinals after beating Jan-Lennard Struff with a score of 6-4, 6-2.
Medvedev loses to Khachanov
Earlier, Russian Daniil Medvedev was knocked out by Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-5. Khachanov stormed into the quarterfinals for the first time after beating him in the third round. Now, Khachanov is set to play two-time Monte Carlo champion Stefanos Tsitsipas, who defeated Alexander Zverev 7-5, 7-6 (3).
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