World no.1 Novak Djokovic came back from a set down to record a 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 third round win over no.66-ranked Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan at the Rogers Cup on Thursday evening.
The three-time Canada Open champion extended his winning streak at the sixth Masters event of the season to 12 straight matches as he capitalised on three of his nine break points in the two hours, seven-minute clash at the Uniprix Stadium.
Istomin took advantage of Novak’s mistakes in the opening set and broke twice to win it 6-2 in 31 minutes.
The 26-year-old Belgrade native bounced back taking the second and third sets to reach his 46th career ATP Masters 1000 QF.
Match statistics: aces (9-4), double faults (4-4), winners (30-27), unforced errors (41-34), total points won (96-94).
After the match, the Serbian kept his promise of continuing his post-victory dances to “Get Lucky”, this time donning a wig before making his way out to centre court.
“He was a better player first half of the match,” said Djokovic. “I was trying to find rhythm. A lot of unforced errors. Just had a very difficult time to be in the point. He did a great job in staying very solid and putting a lot of pressure on me. Then I had to fight. It was a very even match up to the last point. Just glad to get lucky and dance on the court after the match.”
Novak is attempting to win the Rogers Cup for the third year in a row, having triumphed in 2011 and 2012. He also lifted the trophy in 2007.
The top seed will take a 7-1 ATP Head2Head record into his quarter-final match against Frenchman Richard Gasquet on Friday (18.00 local time / midnight CET).
They last met in Toronto finals last year, Nole won 6-3, 6-2.
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