Thiem floors Djokovic, sets up quarterfinal clash with Nadal

Monte Carlo, April 19

Novak Djokovic was knocked out of the Monte Carlo Masters by an inspired Dominic Thiem in the third round on Thursday, with the Austrian fifth seed progressing to a quarterfinal with Rafael Nadal. Thiem, a two-time French Open semifinalist, was the better player for much of the match and won 6-7(2) 6-2 6-3 despite a battling effort from Djokovic.

The 12-time Grand Slam champion has still not reached a quarterfinal since Wimbledon last July after struggling with a right elbow injury. Djokovic, 30, had said he was pain-free in Monte Carlo for the first time in two years, but Thiem backed up his French Open quarterfinal win over the Serbian from last year with another impressive victory.

Nadal sees off Khachanov

World No. 1 Nadal cruised to a 6-3 6-2 victory over Russian Karen Khachanov.

The 16-time Grand Slam champion needs to win an 11th Monte Carlo title to stay clear of Roger Federer at the top of the world rankings, and he made short work of Khachanov in Monaco.

Khachanov held his own at times in the opening set, but Nadal moved through the gears and claimed his second comfortable victory of the week after his opening win over Aljaz Bedene.

Thiem should provide a sterner test in the last-8.

Nadal has lost twice to Thiem on clay, but produced a dominant display in the French Open semifinals last year en route to his 10th Roland Garros title. 

Third seed Alexander Zverev overcame a mid-match blip to beat fellow German Jan-Lennard Struff 6-4 4-6 6-4, but was denied a quarterfinal meeting with his older brother Mischa, who lost 6-2 7-5 to Frenchman Richard Gasquet. World No. 3 Marin Cilic progressed without hitting a ball after his opponent Milos Raonic withdrew due to a knee injury. The Australian Open runner-up next plays Japan’s Kei Nishikori, who beat Italian Andreas Seppi 6-0 2-6 6-3. — Agencies