Together with Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic exacted revenge on Lorenzo Musetti for losing the Monte Carlo Masters the previous year, while Daniil Medvedev unleashed a ferocious diatribe in the process.
The world number one Djokovic overcame the 24th-ranked Musetti, who had defeated him at this identical point a year ago, 7-5, 6-3 after a shaky start and a second-set slump.
"I don't think I am still at my top level but it was a great test today against a great player, a very talented player," Djokovic stated.
"I am really glad to overcome the challenge and look forward to the next one."
In the last eight, Djokovic will face Australia's 11th seed, Alex de Minaur.
In the first game against Musetti, the top-seeded Serbian player gave up the service, but he recovered to tie the match at 4-4, and then took the set when his opponent committed a double fault.
After surrendering his own serve, Djokovic broke twice early in the second set to take a 4-1 lead. Musetti battled back to tie the match, but Djokovic broke for the third time, winning 5-3.
Recently, Djokovic has had trouble regaining his peak performance in Monte Carlo. After losing in the quarterfinals in seven of his following outings, he has not won the event since the last of his two victories in 2015.
After defeating Jan-Lennard Struff 6-4, 6-2, this season's Australian Open winner Sinner increased his record to 24-1.
The second-ranked player in the world broke at 4-4 to win the opening set and then went on to win nine of the next eleven games to win the match.
"I broke him really quickly, and he broke me right back. Even though I anticipated it would be difficult, I think I returned really well, particularly on second serves. I can be really content," Sinner said.
Next up for Sinner is Holger Rune, who lost to Andrey Rublev in the semifinals of the previous year despite defeating the Italian.
Rune defeated Grigor Dimitrov in three hours and thirty minutes, winning 7-6 (11/9), 3-6, 7-6 (7/2) and saving two match points in the decisive set's 12th game. This victory put Rune in the last eight.
Rune remarked, "It was a great match." "I felt that my first set, which lasted for an hour and a half, was really terrific. Therefore, it was physically difficult."
Like Dimitrov, Rune had earlier completed a rain-delayed third round clash.
"I had a match earlier today which was two sets, so I played five sets today actually, which is pretty brutal," said the Dane.
Karen Khachanov defeated Medvedev 6-3, 7-5, and Medvedev tore into the officials for the second day in a row.
After angrily berating chair umpire Carlos Bernardes to begin the final game, Medvedev was given a point penalty and got into a furious argument with the tournament supervisor.
When the world number four double-failed to lose his service game and put Khachanov one game away from victory, he had already been warned and threw his racquet.
With two line rulings going against him in his win on Wednesday in the second round, Medvedev was incensed when Khachanov's forehand was not called during a rally that gave the latter two break opportunities at 5-5.
to the next changeover, the physio arrived to treat a finger bleed, which sent Medvedev over the edge. The Russian yelled to the umpire, "did I ask for the physio!"
"Who will take responsibility?" he then questioned of the supervisor regarding the decisions made.
Television replays seemed to indicate that Khachanov's shot in question had missed the court.
This is the second consecutive day. Gentlemen, please open your eyes. Take action. It's over," said Medvedev.
"The target has been met. They have lost their ability to referee. Who is going to do something?
"The ball was called in after being out yesterday. who is going to do anything. There's this ball outside. Who will accept accountability? I am not in charge of officiating the games.
"This man (the line judge) is wearing spectacles. He doesn't see anything, thus he doesn't need glasses. He is not fit to officiate."
Khachanov will face Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarterfinals on Friday after the latter defeated fifth seed Alexander Zverev 7-5, 7-6 (7/3).
De Minaur defeated fellow Australian Alexei Popyrin 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the round of eight.
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