Monte Carlo Masters: Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic through to quarter-finals

Rafael Nadal was made to fight for his quarter-final berth by John Isner at the Monte Carlo Masters.

World No.5 and third seed Rafael Nadal staved off a third-round exit to seal a quarter-final spot in the Monte Carlo Masters on Thursday. John Isner, seeded 15th for the tournament, went down fighting as he pushed the 14-time Grand Slam champion to the very brink of defeat. Nadal visibly ramped up his game in the third set to close out the match, 7-6 (6), 4-6, 6-3.

Last year, Nadal’s Monte Carlo campaign was halted by compatriot David Ferrer, who ousted the former in straight sets. The 28-year-old came perilously close to being knocked out in straight sets against Isner as well but prevailed to seal a spot in the last eight. The momentum swung wildly throughout the first set, with Isner, appearing to be the dominant player. In the 12th game of the opening set, Nadal had his back to the wall, as he faced two set points. But, he went on to save them to close out the first set in the tie-break.

After Isner stunned the Spaniard, clinching the second set and levelling the scores, Nadal raised his game and was at his domineering best as he wrapped up the third set with relative ease, 6-3.

Speaking after the match, the Nine-time French Open champion said that he kept a very positive mindset in te third set and expressed happiness over his performance.

“My mentality in the third [set was] very positive,” said Nadal. “The game, the level of tennis, [it] improved a little bit in the third than in the previous two sets. That's very important for me. [I’m] very happy to be in quarter-finals. [It’s a] very important result for me.”

Djokovic sets up quarter-final clash with Marin Cilic

Meanwhile, the only player apart from Ferrer to have halted Nadal at Monte Carlo, Novak Djokovic continued his splendid run at the event, dispatching unseeded Andreas Haider-Maurer in straight sets, 6-4, 6-0 to set up a quarter-final contest with reigning US Open champion Marin Cilic. Cilic took out 15th seeded Jo-Wilfred Tsonga in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6, to sail into the quarter-finals.

Djokovic, who won the Laureus Sportsman of the Year award on Wednesday, came up with a clinical performance as he decimated Haider-Maurer.

The World No.1 said after the match that he was feeling quite confident and also added he was looking forward to take on Cilic in the next round.

“I've played quite a lot of matches this year, so I don't think I'm missing the competitive rhythm on the court; I actually feel confident,” said Djokovic.

“I have Marin Cilic who is a Grand Slam winner, who is playing the tennis of his life… I look forward to that challenge. Obviously now it's going to get tougher.”

While Djokovic and Nadal enjoyed success on the fifth day of the Monte Carlo Masters, it was heartbreak for defending champion Stanislas Wawrinka and his compatriot, Roger Federer. Grigor Dimitrov was ruthless as he handed Wawrinka a 6-1, 6-2 loss in the third round. Federer, on the other hand, despite showing flashes of his brilliance, was ousted by Gael Monfils, 4-6, 6 (5)-7.

Other results:

David Ferrer (5) beat Giles Simon (10) 6-2, (3)6-7, 6-1;

Tomas Berdych (6) beat Roberto Bautista Agut (12) 7-6 (7), 6-4;

Milos Raonic (6) beat Tommy Robredo (16) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.