Djokovic advances to Rome quarterfinals

Rome: Second-ranked Novak Djokovic dropped his serve once in each set but managed to recover to beat Thomaz Bellucci 6-4, 6-4 on Thursday and reach the Rome Masters quarterfinals.

Djokovic also struggled with his serve in a semifinal loss to Fernando Verdasco at the Monte Carlo Masters two weeks ago. Against the 28th-ranked Bellucci, he got in just 57 per cent of his first attempts — although he committed only half as many unforced errors as the Brazilian.

Djokovic is aiming to reach his third consecutive final in Rome, having won in 2008 and lost to Rafael Nadal last year.

Later, Nadal was up against No. 39 Victor Hanescu in the night match at the Foro Italico.