Defending champions Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek through to Rome Masters quarter-finals

Defending champions Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek are both through to the Rome Masters quarter-finals after straight-set victories on Tuesday.

Djokovic, who is about to lose his world No 1 world ranking to Carlos Alcaraz, secured his spot in the last eight for an incredible 17th straight year after overcoming Cameron Norrie 6-3, 6-4.

Women's No 1 Swiatek defeated Croatian Donna Vekic by the same scoreline at Foro Italico

Djokovic is gunning for a seventh title on clay in the Italian capital and his chances have been made a little bit easier by the shock exit of Carlos Alcaraz on Monday.

Alcaraz will take over from Djokovic at the top of rankings on May 22 but it is the 22-time Grand Slam champion who could be heading to the French Open with yet another title under his belt.

The big talking point from Tuesday's game, though, came in the fourth game of the second set as Norrie sought to retrieve an early break.

Djokovic turned his back on the play after presenting his opponent with an easy overhead, only for Norrie, seemingly unintentionally, to drill the ball into the Serbian’s legs, who responded with an extremely hard stare.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Djokovic was less bothered by that incident than Norrie’s overall demeanour coupled with a medical timeout he took before the final game.

JAW-DROPPING DJOKOVIC!!!