"italian-open"

There had been some doubt after a lopsided loss at the Italian Open two weeks ago whether he would even enter the clay-court event in Paris at all.

The Serbian, playing in his first match since the Monte-Carlo semifinals last month, overcame a sluggish start to win 6-3, 6-1 in Rome.

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain has returned to the top spot while Novak Djokovic slipped to third in the latest ATP Rankings

The current world No. 1 is now through to the last eight stage in Rome for the 17th consecutive year

World No.1 Iga Swiatek eased into the Round of 16 at the Italian Open after beating Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko

Novak Djokovic of Serbia overcame a second-set slump to defeat Grigor Dimitrov in the third round

The victory also earned Nadal a 36th ATP Masters 1000 crown, equalling Djokovic’s record since the series was established in 1990.

Djokovic fought back from breaks of his serve in each of the final two sets to reach his eighth consecutive semifinal at the Foro Italico where he has lifted the trophy five times, most recently last September

Nadal, aiming for a record-extending 10th Rome title, will next face big-serving American Reilly Opelka.

Serb world no. 1 Djokovic, entered quarterfinals for the 15th time in his 15th appearance in the tournament.

The 24-year-old Podoroska took a 5-2 lead in the second set but was broken at love the first time she tried to serve out the match.

Medvedev prevailed 6-3, 6-4, while Djokovic cruised past Finals debutant Diego Schwartzman 6-3, 6-2 in an empty O2 Arena on Monday