Novak Djokovic prepares for Brisbane quarter-final towards Reilly Opelka by beating Gael Monfils

Novak Djokovic stored alive his hopes of successful the a hundredth ATP title of his profession with a straight-sets 6-3 6-3 victory over Gael Monfils within the Final 16 in Brisbane.

The Serbian, 37, will face Reilly Opelka within the final eight after the American’s 7-6 (11-9) 7-6 (7-4) win over Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi.

Djokovic took his solely break within the first set, serving to him race to a 4-1 lead and take the set in 36 minutes.

Monfils, 38, missed a straightforward likelihood to tie it at 1-1 and the Frenchman did not get a degree in the remainder of the sport as Djokovic broke early within the second set.

Djokovic held 3 times from there to interrupt Monfils 5-3 to finish his twentieth win towards the Frenchman.

Opelka awaits Djokovic within the quarter-finals, the place the 2 will play one another for the primary time.

The 24-time Grand Slam winner says he must modify his sport to face the much-loved American, who hit 25 aces towards Arnaldi.

“Opelka was injured and struggled for a number of years,” stated Djokovic.

“My Lord, I’ve to take a number of steps again to begin worshiping.”