NOvak Djokovic, world number 1, had no mercy on Swiss Stan Wawrinka, former number 3 who tries to return to the circuit after a year and a half of injuries, defeating him by a double 6-2 to get into the quarterfinals of the Masters 1000 in Rome.
In both sets, Djokovic broke the serve of the 37-year-old Swiss from the start. to dominate on the scoreboard, although in the second round he had more difficulties to score the partial since Wawrinka played better, forcing the Serb to execute several high-class shots.
In this way, Djokovic can maintain his preparation for Roland Garros (May 22 to June 5), where he will defend the crown obtained last year.
After a difficult start to the season, in which he was unable to play on the Australian and American tour due to not being vaccinated against covid-19, Djokovic has an irregular campaign on clay, with an entry elimination in Monte Carlo, a semi-final in Madrid and the final in Belgrade.
On Friday he will face the Canadian Félix Auger-Aliassime in the quarterfinals (9th), who defeated the American Marcos Giron, executioner on Wednesday of the Argentine Diego Schwartzman. In case of defeat, Djokovic will cede the world number 1 to Daniil Medvedev, despite the fact that the Russian is absent in Rome.
Other favorites like German Alexander Zverev, number 3 in the worldand the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas (5th), also advanced to the quarterfinals.
Zverev, 25, achieved his 100th Masters 1000 victory in Rome, defeating the Australian Alex de Miñaur 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) in the round of 16 and will face the Chilean Christian Garín (45th), who achieved a prestigious victory against the Croatian veteran Marin Cilic (23rd) in the quarterfinals by 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.
Zverev won in Rome in 2017 the first major title of his career, defeating Novak Djokovic in the final. The following year, he lost the final against Rafael Nadal, against whom he would fall in the quarters again last year.
For its part, Tsitsipas lost his first set 4-6 against Russian Karen Khachanov (24th) but he swept the next two sets 6-0 and 6-3, to guarantee his pass to the quarterfinals, where he will face Jannik Sinner (13th).
In the female category, the Polish Iga Swiatek, number 1 in the world, defeated the Belarusian Victoria Azarenka (16th) 6-4, 6-1, and advances to the quarterfinals.
With this victory, after a very difficult first set for the Pole, Swiatek extends his winning streak to 25 and seeks his fifth consecutive title, a few weeks before the start of Roland Garros.
— Results of the day ofhe tennis tournament in Rome.
. Men’s Singles – Round of 16:
Novak Djokovic (SRB/N.1) defeated Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) 6-2, 6-2
Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN/N.8) beats Marcos Giron (USA) 6-3, 6-2
Jannik Sinner (ITA/N.10) bout Filip Krajinovic (SRB) 6-2, 7-6 (8/6)
Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE/N.4) beats Karen Khachanov (RUS) 4-6, 6-0, 6-3
Cristian Garin (CHI) beats Marin Cilic (CRO) 6-3, 4-6, 6-4
Alexander Zverev (GER/N.2) beats Alex De Minaur (AUS) 6-3, 7-6 (7/5)
. Women’s individual (3rd round):
Iga Swiatek (POL/N.1) defeated Victoria Azarenka (BLR/N.16) 6-4, 6-1
Bianca Andreescu (CAN) beats Petra Martic (CRO) 6-4, 6-4
Aryna Sabalenka (BLR/N.3) beats Jessica Pegula (USA/N.13) 6-1, 6-4
Amanda Anisimova (USA) to Danielle Collins (USA/N.7) 6-2, 6-2
Jil Teichmann (SUI) def Elena Rybakina (KAZ) 6-7 (3/7), 6-3, 7-5