Madrid Open 2019: Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal Win on Thursday
Novak Djokovic secured a place in the quarter-finals of the 2019 Madrid Open on Thursday after he dismantled Jeremy Chardy in straight sets.
Later on, Roger Federer took two hours to despatch Gael Monfils on the clay, winning in three sets as the Swiss matched the Frenchman's energy.
No. 2 seed Rafael Nadal progressed with a straightforward win over rising American prodigy Frances Tiafoe.
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Unseeded Stan Wawrinka skipped into the next round as he defeated Kei Nishikori in straight sets.
In the women's quarter-finals, Simona Halep saw off Ashleigh Barty in two sets, but No. 1 seed Naomi Osaka was shocked as she was eliminated by Belinda Bencic.
The 22-year-old Swiss continues to enhance her reputation after beating the Japanese star in three sets.
An action-packed day in the Spanish capital concluded with Petra Kvitova crashing out to Kiki Bertens.
Men's Singles Results
(1) Novak Djokovic bt. Jeremy Chardy, 6-1, 7-6 (2)
(9) Marin Cilic bt. Laslo Dere, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2
(5) Dominic Thiem bt. (10) Fabio Fognini, 6-4, 7-5
Stan Wawrinka bt. (6) Kei Nishikori, 6-3, 7-6 (3)
(4) Roger Federer bt. (15) Gael Monfils, 6-0, 4-6, 7-6 (3)
(8) Stefanos Tsitsipas bt. Fernando Verdasco, 6-3, 6-4
(3) Alexander Zverev bt. Hubert Hurkacz, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4
(2) Rafael Nadal bt. Frances Tiafoe, 6-3, 6-4
Women's Singles Results
(3) Simona Halep bt. (9) Ashleigh Barty, 7-5, 7-5
Belinda Bencic bt. (1) Naomi Osaka, 3-6, 6-2, 7-5
(8) Sloane Stephens bt. Petra Martic, 6-4, 6-3
(7) Kiki Bertens bt. (2) Petra Kvitova, 6-2, 6-3
Full results can be found at the tournament's official website, along with the schedule.
Djokovic entered his match with a 12-0 head-to-head record with Chardy, and his dominance over the Frenchman was reflected in the opening set as he quickly raced to a 5-0 lead.
Chardy avoided a bagel when serving to stay in the set, but all it did was delay the inevitable, and it quickly went Djokovic's way, per Metro's George Bellshaw:
The 32-year-old improved in the second set as he managed to keep proceedings on serve, and he even managed to earn a set point, but Djokovic was able to take the set to a tiebreaker.
From there, the world No. 1 took control to set up a tie with Marin Cilic:
Federer was in sensational form as he exploded out of the traps against Monfils, taking the first set without losing a game.
However, the 32-year-old fought back to claim the second set, breaking the icon's serve as he levelled proceedings.
Federer once again put his foot on the gas to edge the deciding set, winning a tiebreak finish 7-3 as his opponent faded.
It was an easy day for Nadal as he cruised to victory against Tiafoe in the evening session.
The king of clay broke his opponent's serve to make it 3-1 in the first and repeated the break in the second to squeeze Tiafoe's hopes of a shock.
Nadal fired six aces on his way to victory, never allowing the American the chance to capitalise from his service games.
Halep and Barty produced an entertaining contest when they met on court Manolo Santana.
Both sets followed the same pattern, with Halep getting a break in front before being pegged back.
Barty, seeded ninth, played some superb shots:
Reigning French Open champion Halep showed her class in the clutch moments, though, as she recovered from the setbacks to break at 5-5 in each set before holding serve to win.
The victory continued the 27-year-old's superb record in Madrid, per Record's Jose Morgado:
Halep will play Bencic in her semi-final after the world No. 18 sent Osaka packing from Madrid.
Osaka was strongly expected to make the last four, but she could now lose her status as the top-ranked player in the world after the surprise loss.
Bencic appeared to be on her way to defeat in the deciding set but rallied to suppress a 5-3 deficit.
The Swiss took the final set 7-5 as she twice broke the favourite's serve in dramatic fashion.
There was disappointment at the end of the day for Kvitova as she was soundly beaten by Bertens.
The 27-year-old Dutch player was ruthless as she accelerated past the No. 2 seed in straight sets.
Kvitova lost her serve five times as her opponent sailed to victory with authority and ease.
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