Novak Djokovic cruises past Gael Monfils into Cincinnati 0pen quarterfinals

Novak Djokovic prolonged his career-long domination of Gael Monfils with a 6-3, 6-2 victory on Thursday to succeed in the quarter-finals of the ATP/WTA Cincinnati Open.

The Serb second seed, a two-time winner in Cincinnati, gained his nineteenth match in opposition to the French showman with no defeat.

He wanted simply 69 minutes to observe top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz into the final eight, the Spaniard withstanding a string of irritating rain delays to beat Tommy Paul 7-6 (8/6), 6-7 (7/0) 6-3 and avenge a loss to the American final week.

Djokovic utilized the stress early in opposition to Monfils within the battle of 36-year-old veterans, denying the quantity 211 his first last-eight place right here since 2011.

Djokovic will subsequent tackle American Taylor Fritz, who superior after Dusan Lajovic retired with a toe damage trailing 5-0.

Djokovic broke as soon as to say the primary set and shortly ran up a 5-0 lead within the second.

Monfils greets Djokovic after the match within the Cincinnati Open

He faltered whereas attempting to serve it out, dropping his serve solely to finish the competition two video games later.

“Gael is one of the most athletic guys on the tour and he showed that in the first set,” Djokovic mentioned. “Every ball comes back from him.

“I served well and made him play. After the first break I didn’t look back and raised my level.

“I had an almost flawless second set,” added Djokovic. “Hopefully I can keep it going.”