Novak Djokovic cruised past Lorenzo Musetti 6-2 6-2 to reach the quarter-finals of the Miami Open.
The match was delayed because of rain and world number five Djokovic, who has won six Miami titles, started slowly and was broken in the opening game as Italy’s Musetti opened up a 2-0 lead.
But Serbian Djokovic, 37, completely dominated the match from that point.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion won nine consecutive games, closing out the first set 6-2 and moving 3-0 up in the second.
“It was tough, particularly in the first seven, eight games of the match,” said fourth seed Djokovic.
World number 16 Musetti, 23, offered little resistance after winning those opening games as Djokovic cruised through to set up a tie with American Sebastian Korda.
Korda booked his place in the quarter-finals earlier on Tuesday with a 6-4 2-6 6-4 victory over Frenchman Gael Monfils, while Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo is also through after beating Norway’s Casper Ruud 6-4 6-2.
Watching Djokovic from the grandstands was 23-time Grand Slam champion and former women’s world number one Serena Williams.
He produced a backhand winner for a 5-2 second-set lead and sealed the win when Musetti double-faulted on match point.
“Actually, when I had that down-the-line passing shot, I pointed to her and asked her whether it was OK,” said Djokovic.
“She said, ‘yeah, it was fine’. If Serena says it was fine, then it was amazing by everyone else’s standards.”