Djokovic downs Musetti in straight sets to reach quarter finals at Miami Open

Novak Djokovic returned to the quarter-finals of the ATP Masters 1000 event with a 6-2, 6-2 win against 15th seed Lorenzo Musetti on Tuesday evening.

The 37-year-old Serbian and six-time Miami Open champions who is now three victories from his 100th tour-level title, produced a statement performance in front of Serena Williams and Juan Martin del Potro (the Argentine was in his box).

“I was starstruck! It was amazing to see first DelPo, obviously a long-time friend and a rival, so happy to have him around and get his support from the box. It was amazing, it was [the] first time to have DelPo in the box, so I want to thank him really for coming,” Djokovic said in his on-court interview. “And Serena, that was a surprise. I didn’t know.

“Actually, when I had that down-the-line passing shot, I pointed to her and asked her whether it was okay. She kind of said, ‘Yeah, it was fine’. If Serena says it was fine, then it was amazing by everyone else’s standards. So yeah, great to have them.”

Next up for the former No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings will be American Sebastian Korda, who clawed past Gael Monfils 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 earlier in the day. In their only previous clash two years ago in the Adelaide final, Djokovic saved championship point en route to the title.