Novak Djokovic advanced to the Monte Carlo Masters quarterfinals by exacting revenge on Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in a straight-set victory.
After losing to Musetti in the last 16 of the Monte Carlo Open the previous year, Djokovic overcame a service break behind in the opening set to win 7-5 6-3.
In the Open era, the 36-year-old Serb is the only player to have advanced to 10 Monte Carlo quarterfinals.
Next up for the world champion is Alex de Minaur of Australia.
Djokovic went up a break in the second set and then lost serve twice, even though he had won five of the previous six games to reverse the opening set.
Despite facing problems in his first event since parting ways with longtime coach Goran Ivanisevic, the two-time winner overcame them and managed to serve out the match to love.
He will be looking to advance to the tournament’s semi-final for the first time since winning the title nine years prior against De Minaur, who defeated fellow countryman Alexei Popyrin 6-3 6-4.
“I don’t think I am still at my top level but it was a great test today against a great player, a very talented player,” Djokovic stated.
Jannik Sinner, ranked second in Italy, defeated Jan-Lennard Struff, ranked German, 6-4 6-2, to advance to the quarterfinals, where he will face either Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria or Holger Rune, ranked seventh in Denmark.
However, Daniil Medvedev, the fourth seed, is out after losing to fellow Russian Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-5.
After Khachanov defeated Alexander Zverev of Germany as the 12th seed, he will now face Stefanos Tsitsipas in the round of eight. 7-5 7-6 (7-3)
