Novak Djokovic was delighted after beating Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti by 7-5, 6-3 in the third round of the ongoing Monte Carlo Masters. Musetti had beaten Djokovic in the third round of the same tournament but the Serbian kept his calm during crucial stages of the match.

Djokovic broke Musetti’s serve in the eighth game of the opening set to take a 5-3 lead but the Italian was able to bounce back as the veteran could not close out the set. However, Djokovic broke Musetti once again in the 12th game to take the opening set.

The 24-time Grand Slam came up with a more consistent performance in the second set to advance to the quarterfinals.

“It was a little exchange with the crowd at 4-3, 40/0 for him in the first set and ever since then I gained momentum,” Djokovic said when asked how he turned the tide in the opening set. “He lost focus a little bit. He was the better player for those first seven games, played some great tennis. Played really good shots and made me run.

“But this is clay and obviously things can turn around very quickly and a break of serve is not as a big advantage on this surface compared to the other surfaces. We saw a little bit of a rollercoaster in the second set, so I am pleased that staying tough and aggressive in the tight moments paid off.”

Djokovic admitted he was not at his absolute best but was happy to get over the line against a talented player.

“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 said. “I lost to him last year here, similar circumstances. I was a set and 4-2 up and I must say it was in the back of my mind when I was serving at 4-2, 40/15 and lost my serve today. I thought, ‘Oh no, hopefully this is not similar scenario like last year’. I am really glad to overcome the challenge and look forward to the next one.”

Djokovic will face Australia’s Alex de Minaur in the quarters on Friday.