Grieving Djokovic battles into quarters, Murray wins

Novak Djokovic buried his grief to advance to the quarter-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters yesterday, just hours after learning of the death in Serbia of his beloved grandfather.

The world no. 1 elected to take to the court against Alexandr Dolgopolov of the Ukraine after suffering the heart-breaking blow at training in the morning.

His match, interrupted by the fourth rain shower of the day, eventually ended with a 2-6, 6-1, 6-4 win and a pleading look to the Mediterranean skies from the distraught star.

Djokovic was said to be close to grandfather Vladimir and sheltered with him and other family members during the NATO bombing of Belgrade in 1999.

After leaving the court in silence organisers the ATP released a statement which read: “Novak Djokovic would like to ask for your understanding.

“As you know, he lost his grandfather today just before the match, and it was very hard for him to play. After he won, he just felt totally exhausted.”

There was no word as to whether the world number one would continue in the tournament, which he missed last year during a record-setting season of ten titles including three of the four grand slams.

Meanwhile, Andy Murray’s apparent jinx on opponents continued, with the third seed advancing when Frenchman Julien Benneteau went down with an ankle injury and subsequent broken elbow. Murray got a rare two walkovers last month in Miami, when Canadian Milos Raonic was injured before their third-round encounter and Rafael Nadal was unable to play their semi-final due to the knee problems which continue to haunt him.

Fourth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga saved nine break points to beat Fernando Verdasco of Spain, the 13th seed, 7-6 (9/7), 6-2.

Other result: Nadal bt Kukushin 6-1, 6-1.