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Djokovic, Nadal enter quarters

By The Assam Tribune

ROME, Sept 19: Top seeds Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have entered the quarterfinals of the Italian Open with straight-set wins in their respective third-round matches. On Friday, Djokovic defeated his fellow Serb Filip Krajinovic 7-6 (7), 6-3 to enter the last eight of the tournament for the 14th straight year.

�It was definitely one of the longest sets I think I have ever played,� said Djokovic as per the ATP Tour website after the match. �Never easy, I think, emotionally to play against someone who is one of my best friends for many years... I think the first set could have gone a different way, as well. �Fortunately for me it went my way and that allowed me to swing through the ball a bit more in the second set. Maybe physically and mentally, he dropped a level and I used my opportunities and capitalised to win in straight sets.�

In other Round of 16 match, nine-time champion Nadal cruised past 2019 Monte-Carlo Masters finalist Dusan Lajovic 6-1, 6-3 to reach his 15th Rome quarterfinal.

�I played at I think a very positive level of tennis. Of course it needs to keep improving. I need to keep working on a couple of things that are not coming automatically. But I can�t ask for more,� Nadal said. �It was another great evening for me against another good opponent. Can�t complain at all. Much better than what I expected.� � IANS

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