Two-time champion Novak Djokovic advanced to the quarterfinals of the Rome Masters 2014 tournament with a three set 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 victory over Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany. Kohlschreiber had been posting upset wins over top 25 players such as Jerzy Janowicz and Tommy Robredo to advance to this stage.
“I was trying to spin the ball too much and the court wasn’t getting that necessary bounce that I was looking for,” said Djokovic, explaining the first set lapse. “But then I started to be a little bit more aggressive and open up the court. It worked well.”
Djokovic is gunning for a 19th Masters 1000 title but will have a tougher road ahead as he faces David Ferrer of Spain in the quarterfinals. Djokovic leads their head to head series at 11-5 but he won’t be taking his upcoming opponent for granted considering that Ferrer is a claycourt specialist and last year’s Roland Garros finalist.
“[Ferrer] has had an incredible career overall, but especially on clay,” said Djokovic. “It’s going to be a big challenge and we’ll see where my game is.”
Djokovic pulled out of Madrid Masters a week ago in order to have enough time to rehabilitate his injured right wrist.
