Novak Djokovic comes through spicy clash with Cameron Norrie to make Italian Open quarter-finals

Novak Djokovic came through a spicy clash with British No. 1 Cameron Norrie to make the Italian Open quarter-finals for the 17th year in a row. In the second set, Norrie struck Djokovic on the leg with a smash — provoking a long, pointed reaction from the Serbian and a glare at the next change of ends.

Ad But the defending champion ultimately kept his composure to progress with a 6-3 6-4 win. ATP RomeRune outlines goal to win a Grand Slam title this season ahead of French OpenYESTERDAY AT 11:32 «So far so good,» Djokovic said on court afterwards. «It was an early start today, strange conditions.

»We warmed up just like 20 minutes, I actually finished my warm-up 10 minutes before I went on the court. «I was rushing a bit with everything but we couldn't play earlier because of the rain, so I'm just glad to overcome today's challenge in straight sets and move on.» When quizzed about reportedly spending time in the treatment room pre-match, Djokovic added: «Every day is something, but thankfully I was able to play and finish the match and hopefully tomorrow I will feel even better.» On an unusually cold day in Rome, there was relatively little atmosphere inside the Foro Italico to begin with, but Djokovic didn't mind that and stormed into a 3-0 lead in just 11 minutes. Norrie got on the board thereafter to reduce his deficit, but Djokovic kept ahead at 4-1 and then 5-2, with the needle between the pair apparent as they both began to exchange roars down the court when winning significant points during that particular run of games.