Novak Djokovic continued the quest for his record-extending 39th ATP Masters 1000 crown on Tuesday when he moved past Cameron Norrie 6-3, 6-4 at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia.
The Serbian suffocated Norrie with his deep aggressive hitting on the Italian clay. He also moved well, sliding freely into shots to pull the Briton around and reach the quarter-finals in Rome for the 17th consecutive year.
"So far so good," Djokovic said when asked about his tournament so far. "It was an early start today. Strange conditions and we warmed up for just 20 minutes. I was rushing a little bit and we couldn't play before because of the rain, so I am glad to overcome the challenge in straight sets and move on."
Djokovic is chasing his seventh title in Rome, having triumphed at the event in 2008, 2011, 2014-15, 2020 and 2022. Following his 89-minute win, the 35-year-old will next meet Dane Holger Rune.
The top seed is looking to find his best level on clay this fortnight at the Foro Italico, having arrived in Rome off the back of early defeats on the surface in Monte-Carlo and Banja Luka. Djokovic is currently third in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Turin and could rise to first if he wins the title following Carlos Alcaraz’s third-round exit.
Norrie was aiming to reach the quarter-finals at an ATP Masters 1000 for the second time this season, after advancing to that stage in Indian Wells. The 13th seed defeated Alexandre Muller and Marton Fucsovics before falling against Djokovic for the third time.
Rune overcame a tricky test from Australian qualifier Alexei Popyrin to reach his third ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final.
The 20-year-old Dane withstood heavy hitting from the World No. 77, demonstrating great agility to hang in points. Rune struck 34 winners overall and committed just three unforced errors in the decider to advance 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 after three hours.
Rune, who is making his debut in Rome, now holds an 11-2 record on clay this season. The World No. 7 reached the final in Monte-Carlo last month before he clinched his fourth tour-level title in Munich.
Rune will head into his quarter-final meeting against Djokovic with confidence, having defeated the Serbian in the 2022 Paris final.
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