Italian Open: Djokovic Cruises to the Quarters

On Tuesday at the Foro Italico in Rome, Serbian player Novak Djokovic defeated British player Cameron Norrie.

Defending champion Novak Djokovic solidified his claim to winning the coveted Italian Open after defeating Cameron Norrie in straight sets and advancing to the quarterfinals easily. If he manages to win it, his seventh title in Rome will be confirmed. Djokovic, a six-time winner of the Italian Open, will face Holger Rune or Alexei Popyrin in the round of eight.

Brief insight into the game

After sluggish beginnings in his first two matches, Djokovic exploded out of the gate to take a 3-0 lead before letting two chances to break Norrie, who won at Rio, slip away. He then won the first set through a fantastic service game. During the opening exchanges of the tense second set, Norrie's overhead shot struck Djokovic on his leg after the Serbian had turned back towards the net.

Before top seed Djokovic rallied from a game-long deficit of 0-30 to defeat the world no. 13 on his second match point, erratic Norrie lost his serve many times and required medical attention for a right leg problem.

Statement from Djokovic

"So far so good," Djokovic, who will meet seventh seed Holger Rune or Alexei Popyrin in the quarterfinals, said of his chances of progressing in the competition.

"It was an early start today. Strange conditions. I actually finished my warm-up 10 minutes before I went on the court so I was rushing a bit with everything but we couldn’t play earlier because of the rain. I’m just glad to overcome today’s challenge in straight sets and move on."

Djokovic unidentified injury

Before Tuesday's encounter, Djokovic spent time receiving treatment for an unidentified condition after missing the Madrid event with an elbow ailment. However, the 35-year-old maintained that there was no reason for further worry.

"Every day there’s something," said Djokovic. "Thankfully I was able to play and finish the match, and hopefully tomorrow I will feel even better."