Novak Djokovic has made it his 14th straight quarter-finals at the Italian Open after victory over Filip Krajinovic.
The world No 1 saved five of the six break points against Krajinovic and edged the first-set tie-break before he then stepping on the gas in the second set.
The Serbian continued his impressive form in 2020 barring his default from the US Open as he managed a 7-6 (9-7) 6-3 victory.
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“It was definitely one of the longest sets [first set] I think I have ever played,” Djokovic says. “Never easy, I think, emotionally to play against someone that is one of my best friends for many years.
“I knew he’s in great form and, obviously, my second match on clay, I still haven’t started this match the way I really wanted to. I made a lot of unforced errors, but also credit to him for being aggressive and pushing me to the limit.”
The world No 1 will face German qualifier Dominik Koepfer, who ended the brilliant run of 18-year-old Italian Lorenzo Musetti with a 6-4 6-0 victory in the last eight.
World No 2, Rafael Nadal continues on a quest for his 10th title in Rome after beating Dusan Lajovic 6-1 6-3 victory to progress.
After losing just two games against Pablo Carreno Busta, Nadal was dominant again apart from a blip in the second set when Lajovic recovered from 4-0 to 4-3.
Nadal has set-up a meeting with the eighth seed Diego Schwartzman, and he goes into it holding a 9-0 record over his opponent.
Grigor Dimitrov showed sheer power and determination with a 4-6 6-4 6-4 result against Jannik Sinner to stay in the fight to secure the title as well.
He will face Denis Shapovalov next.
