Novak Djokovic reached the round of 16 Italian open after defeating Grigor Dimitrov, 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 in Rome on Sunday
Six-time Rome champion Djokovic overcame second-set frustration with a high-class third set that defeated Dimitrov.
The top seed and defending champion looked poised for a routine third-round win as he edged out Dimitrov by a set and a break at 6-3, 4-2.
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An inspired four-game run from the Bulgarian forced a decider at the Foro Italico, but Djokovic expertly raised his level to reach the fourth round with his 1,050th tour-level win.
Slow Djokovic finds his way
“(I was) very solid. I think he could have won in straight sets,” Djokovic said.
“I was up a set and 4-2 and I had a pretty decent forehand down the middle of the court at deuce on his serve and I missed that. He held his serve well, we had new balls in the next game, I double faulted, the crowd got in and supported him and of course the energy of the venue and the match changed,” Djokovic said.
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The Serb could face Holger Rune next
“My level went down a bit but luckily I managed to find it right away in the first game (of the third set), made that crucial break and it kind of shifted the momentum to my side, so I’m very pleased with the way I did it. . I closed the game.”
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Holger Rune remains a potential quarterfinal opponent for Djokovic if both players make it past the round of 16 in Rome.
