MARSEILLE (France): World number three Novak Djokovic eased into the quarter-finals of the Marseille ATP indoor tournament as the Serbian continued his rehabilitation from his Australian Open nightmare.
Djokovic saw off Czech journeyman Jan Hernych 7-5, 6-4 on Thursday and will tackle Germany's Mischa Zverev for a place in the semi-finals.
Top seed Djokovic is playing in his first tournament since retiring from his Australian Open quarter-final clash against Andy Roddick last month where heat exhaustion scupper his title defence.
"It was a strange match with a lot of ups and downs regarding my game," admitted Djokovic.
"I was a break up in both of the sets so I should have finished the job earlier. But I'm happy to get through in straight sets."
The 21-year-old Djokovic is through to the Marseille quarter-finals for the first time in three visits.
Looking ahead to a quarter-final clash with Zverev, Djokovic said: "He has a lot of touch and great talent. He doesn't really have a powerful stroke but he's very solid from both sides so it's a tough one."
Also into the last eight is France's Julien Benneteau who enjoyed a 6-1, 2-6, 6-1 win over Switzerland's George Bastl, the world 227.
Soruce:http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Djokovic-into-Marseille-last-eight/articleshow/4158501.cms
Djokovic saw off Czech journeyman Jan Hernych 7-5, 6-4 on Thursday and will tackle Germany's Mischa Zverev for a place in the semi-finals.
Top seed Djokovic is playing in his first tournament since retiring from his Australian Open quarter-final clash against Andy Roddick last month where heat exhaustion scupper his title defence.
"It was a strange match with a lot of ups and downs regarding my game," admitted Djokovic.
"I was a break up in both of the sets so I should have finished the job earlier. But I'm happy to get through in straight sets."
The 21-year-old Djokovic is through to the Marseille quarter-finals for the first time in three visits.
Looking ahead to a quarter-final clash with Zverev, Djokovic said: "He has a lot of touch and great talent. He doesn't really have a powerful stroke but he's very solid from both sides so it's a tough one."
Also into the last eight is France's Julien Benneteau who enjoyed a 6-1, 2-6, 6-1 win over Switzerland's George Bastl, the world 227.
Soruce:http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Djokovic-into-Marseille-last-eight/articleshow/4158501.cms
