Novak Djokovic admits Lorenzo Musetti had him on the ropes in nervous last 16 win

Novak Djokovic gestures during the Monte Carlo Masters.

Novak Djokovic felt that he was staring down the barrel of another defeat to Lorenzo Musetti at the Monte Carlo Masters before a first set turnaround powered the world No 1 into the last eight.

Djokovic had lost to Musetti in Monte Carlo last season at the exact same stage albeit in a season that had a slightly different complexion to the current campaign.

This time around Djokovic arrived in Monte Carlo feeling the heat just a bit after a start to his campaign that can only be called indifferent by the measure of the great player’s previous efforts.

Djokovic felt that he was on the ropes early in this encounter but remained calm noting that matches on clay can be harder to put away.

The rankings king believes that Musetti lost his focus after an exchange with the crowd while leading 4-3 in the first set and holding three game points to move to within a game of taking the first set.

“It was a little exchange with the crowd at 4-3, 40/0 for him in the first set and ever since then I gained momentum,” Djokovic said.

The Serbian conceded that early on Musetti was the clear better player but his experience told in a fine fightback.

“He lost focus a little bit. He was the better player for those first seven games and played some great tennis. Played really good shots and made me run.

“But this is clay and obviously things can turn around very quickly and a break of serve is not as a big advantage on this surface compared to the other surfaces. We saw a little bit of a rollercoaster in the second set, so I am pleased that staying tough and aggressive in the tight moments paid off.”

Djokovic is one of the masters of the mental game but he conceded that his defeat to Musetti last term played on his mind at times in his last 16 win.

“I don’t think I am still at my top level but it was a great test today against a great player, a very talented player,” Djokovic said.

“I lost to him last year here, similar circumstances. I was a set and 4-2 up and I must say it was in the back of my mind when I was serving at 4-2, 40/15 and lost my serve today. I thought, ‘Oh no, hopefully this is not similar scenario like last year’. I am really glad to overcome the challenge and look forward to the next one.”

Djokovic faces in-form Australian Alex De Minaur in the Monte Carlo Masters last eight.

The 40-time Masters champion has not been beyond the last eight in Monte Carlo since his 2015 run to the title.