Second seed Novak Djokovic takes on 10th seed David Goffin in the Men's singles quater-final of 2017 Monte Carlo Masters on Friday.
The world number two survived a tough third-round battle against Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta yesterday. After taking the first set 6-2, Djokovic stumbled in the second only to fight back and win the decider 6-4.
On the other hand, Goffin stunned sixth seed Dominic Thiem in a three-setter (7-6, 4-6, 6-3) to move a step closer to his maiden ATP Masters 1000 semi-final.
Djokovic has been tested over the first two rounds in the ongoing tournament and he has been looking rusty ever since he returned from a wrist injury, that kept him out of last month's Miami Open. Both Carreno Busta and his first-round opponent Gilles Simon have taken him to the decider and the Serb will want to hit peak form as soon as possible as a potential semi-final outing against in-form Rafael Nadal awaits him.
The 12-time Grand Slam winner has not reached the semi-final since he went the distance in the season-opening tournament in Doha. Early exits at Australian Open and Indian Wells has not done his confidence any good but the Serb will be motivated to return to form on clay after having a dull season on hard courts.
Djokovic is well placed to emerge successful in today's clash against Goffin as he has a 5-0 head-to-head advantage over the Belgian. However, the world number 13, who is in good form early in the season with two runner-up finishes (Sofia and Rotterdam), will be motivated to put one across his rusty-looking opponent.
