Masters 1000 Monte Carlo: Novak Djokovic dominates Lorenzo Musetti for his victory in quarters (7-5, 6-3)

He had revenge to take and he took it. Beaten just a year ago in the same tournament and at the same stage of the competition by Lorenzo Musetti, Novak Djokovic provided his response Thursday on the clay of Monte-Carlo. However heckled at the start of the game and a little physically feverish in the second act, the world number 1 completed the affair in two sets (7-5, 6-3) and a little less than two hours of play (1h59 exactly) in the 3rd round. For the first time since 2019, he will therefore be in the quarter-finals on the Rock where he will face the Australian Alex de Minaur, winner earlier in the day of his compatriot Alexei Popyrin (6-3, 6-4 ).

After a convincing start, it was a first real major test. And Novak Djokovic did it quite well. Of course, everything was not perfect for the Serb who even seemed overwhelmed at the start of the match this Thursday before gradually finding his cruising speed. He also suffered from the heat in the second set, suffering from tremors especially during a change of sides after having also stretched his left leg. But overall, he displayed a very interesting level for only his second match on clay this season, and even more so against a surface specialist.

Stung by the Italian public, Djokovic raised his voice

Because make no mistake, Lorenzo Musetti did not show up on the Rainier-III court to make up the numbers. Inspired by his feat last year and impressive at the start of the tournament to take out Taylor Fritz then Arthur Fils, he kept pace with Djokovic from the first exchanges, even adding an extra bit of soul which allowed him to make the break input (0-2). Long silky line backhands, well-hidden and perfectly touched cushioning, hair-raising passing: everything happened during the first half hour. So much so that the Italian obtained a double break point at 3-1, before leading 4-2.

To tell the truth, the Italian seemed to master his subject. But while he was leading 4-3, 40/0, ​​an event awakened the predator in Djokovic. Annoyed by a ball misjudged by the linesman, the world number 1 suffered a few whistles from the Italian supporters. He laughed ironically, responding to the provocation by waving his hands like an orchestra conductor, recalling his attitude at the Turin Masters. Stung, he began to tighten up the game, while Musetti tensed up and gave back his break in advance. From then on, the Serb took control of the game and as a symbol, his opponent gave up this first set of more than an hour on a double fault.

Much more solid, Djokovic somehow gradually extinguished Musetti who had dazzled the start of the game with his talent and intensity. Very aggressive in restarting the Italian’s second balls, he took his commitment three times in the second act. Certainly, the world number 1, who sometimes seemed to manage his effort physically, also gave in twice, but he did not collapse. Better: he even knew how to take the ball earlier to gain ground on Musetti who hurt him less and less with his backhand topspin. Against De Minaur, Djokovic will pass another test against a player who looks like him but who, a priori, does everything worse than him. Enough to perhaps hope to extend the pleasure in the last four for the first time in 9 years.