Djokovic puts grief to one side to down Dolgopolov in Monte Carlo
It was a day of triumph and disaster for World No. 1 Novak Djokovic as he booked his place in the quarterfinals of the Monte Carlo Masters just hours after learning of his grandfather's death.
The Serbian was told that Vladimir had died during a practice session ahead of his clash with big-serving Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov.
But he decided to put his grief to one side and battled back after losing the opening set to claim a 2-6 6-1 6-4 victory.
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The 24-year-old left the court in silence after his victory, and shortly after his match the ATP Tour released a statement which read: 'Novak Djokovic would like to ask for your understanding.
'As you know, he lost his grandfather today just before the match, and it was very hard for him to play. After he won, he just felt totally exhausted physically, mentally and emotionally.'
Djokovic will now face Dutchman Robin Haase after he beat Brazil's Thomaz Bellucci 6-2 6-3.
Defending champion Rafael Nadal breezed through his match against Mikhail Kukushkin, beating the Kazakhstani 6-1 6-1.
The world No.2 never looked like surrendering the incredible winning streak he has at Monte Carlo -- not losing a match since 2003.
Nadal, from Spain, will now face Stanislas Wawrinka, from Switzerland, after he disposed of French No. 8 seed Nicolas Almagro 6-3 6-3.
Earlier on Thursday, Andy Murray progressed to the last eight after his opponent, Frenchman Julian Benneteau, retired through injury with the match level at 5-5 in the first set.
Benneteau fell awkwardly on his ankle trying to chase down a Murray forehand. After a spell of treatment, he tried to continue but was forced to throw in the towel.
Murray will now face world No. 7 Thomas Berdych in the quarterfinals after the Czech beat Japan's Kei Nishikori 2-6 6-2 6-4.
Berdych told the ATP Tour's website that his match with the Briton will be a tough encounter. He said: 'Sometimes the match is kind of on his racquet a little bit because he has so much power.
'But if you can keep the ball to a good length, get him moving, which isn't the easiest thing to do, but if you can do that, that's where he's not so comfortable.'
Elsewhere, No. 4 seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga set up a clash with fellow Frenchman Gilles Simon after he beat Fernando Verdasco, from Spain, 7-6 6-2.
But for a second set blip against Serbian Janko Tipsarevic, Simon was in good touch as he won 6-0 4-6 6-1.
Djokovic will now face Dutchman Robin Haase after he beat Brazil's Thomaz Bellucci 6-2 6-3. Elsewhere, No. 4 seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga set up a clash with fellow Frenchman Gilles Simon after he beat Fernando Verdasco, from Spain, 7-6 6-2. 'As you know, he lost his grandfather today just before the match, and it was very hard for him to play. After he won, he just felt totally exhausted physically, mentally and emotionally.' Benneteau fell awkwardly on his ankle trying to chase down a Murray forehand. After a spell of treatment, he tried to continue but was forced to throw in the towel. Nadal, from Spain, will now face Stanislas Wawrinka, from Switzerland, after he disposed of French No. 8 seed Nicolas Almagro 6-3 6-3. 'As you know, he lost his grandfather today just before the match, and it was very hard for him to play. After he won, he just felt totally exhausted physically, mentally and emotionally.' 'As you know, he lost his grandfather today just before the match, and it was very hard for him to play. After he won, he just felt totally exhausted physically, mentally and emotionally.' 'As you know, he lost his grandfather today just before the match, and it was very hard for him to play. After he won, he just felt totally exhausted physically, mentally and emotionally.' The world No.2 never looked like surrendering the incredible winning streak he has at Monte Carlo -- not losing a match since 2003. 'But if you can keep the ball to a good length, get him moving, which isn't the easiest thing to do, but if you can do that, that's where he's not so comfortable.' But for a second set blip against Serbian Janko Tipsarevic, Simon was in good touch as he won 6-0 4-6 6-1. But he decided to put his grief to one side and battled back after losing the opening set to claim a 2-6 6-1 6-4 victory. Benneteau fell awkwardly on his ankle trying to chase down a Murray forehand. After a spell of treatment, he tried to continue but was forced to throw in the towel. Nadal, from Spain, will now face Stanislas Wawrinka, from Switzerland, after he disposed of French No. 8 seed Nicolas Almagro 6-3 6-3. Defending champion Rafael Nadal breezed through his match against Mikhail Kukushkin, beating the Kazakhstani 6-1 6-1. 'As you know, he lost his grandfather today just before the match, and it was very hard for him to play. After he won, he just felt totally exhausted physically, mentally and emotionally.'
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