Djokovic sees off Karatsev to ease into last 16 in Rome

Novak Djokovic’s love affair with Rome continued as the five-time champion picked up his 60th victory at the Italian Open with a 6-3, 6-2 success over Aslan Karatsev on Tuesday. The Serb has never lost before the quarterfinals at the tournament and is now just three victories shy of joining the 1 000 match-wins club. […]

Novak Djokovic’s love affair with Rome continued as the five-time champion picked up his 60th victory at the Italian Open with a 6-3, 6-2 success over Aslan Karatsev on Tuesday.

The Serb has never lost before the quarterfinals at the tournament and is now just three victories shy of joining the 1 000 match-wins club.

“He probably has the biggest calf we have in tennis. Very strong guy, just solid from the baseline,” Djokovic said of the 35th-ranked Karatsev.

“You never know with him. If he’s feeling the ball, he can be very dangerous because he stays so close to the line, puts pressure on his opponents.”