Nole is through to the quarter-finals of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters.
The top seed fought back from a set down to defeat world no.21 Ukraine’s Alexandr Dolgopolov 2-6, 6-1, 6-4 in 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Dolgopolov started strong and took the opening set 6-2 with a double break.
Novak broke his opponent’s serve in the second game of the second set and consolidated the break with a battling hold, coming from 0-40 down. The world no.1 made one more break and closed out the set with a cross court forehand winner to level up the match.
The 2009 runner-up converted his break point opportunity in the ninth game of the decisive third set and served out the match with a comfortable service hold.
Match statistics: aces (5-5), double faults (2-0), winners (19-21), unforced errors (32-35), total points won (82-72).
Djokovic capitalised on 3 of his 9 break point chances and won 77 per cent of his first serve points.
Next up for the 24-year-old Serb will be a QF encounter with world no.55 Robin Haase. The Dutchman eliminated Brazil’s Thomaz Bellucci in straight sets 6-2, 6-3.
Novak takes a 2-0 H2H record into the match that will be played on Friday about 12.30 CET.
