Djokovic tops Stepanek to advance to Toronto quarterfinals

Serbian world No. 1 Novak Djokovic defeated Czech veteran Radek Stepanek 62, 64 to advance to the quarterfinals of the Rogers Cup in Toronto.

Djokovic controlled play Thursday night against the 37yearold, who struggled to get his first serve in play throughout the contest but still entertained the crowd with his crafty, netrushing tactics.

Stepanek was broken twice after putting just 33 percent of his first serves in play in the first set and then lost his serve two more times in the second set, when his firstserve percentage was only 45 percent.

Although the odds were stacked against him, Stepanek got the crowd on their feet with some passingshot winners in the second set.

The 29yearold Djokovic, however, had the final answer when he lofted an exquisite lob over his opponent’s head on match point.

“It’s fun. I love playing with Radek. He’s one of my best friends on the (ATP) Tour, and amazing what he does at his age. He qualified (in the singles) He plays quarters (Friday) doubles. He’s so experienced, he knows how to play in these big occasions. He’s entertaining,” the Serbian said in a postmatch interview.

Next up for the world No. 1 in Friday’s quarterfinals will be another Czech, No. 5 seed Tomas Berdych, who edged American qualifier Ryan Harrison 64, 67 (27), 64.

Djokovic, who boasts a 242 career record against Berdych, said he needed to assess what he did well on Thursday night and what he has to improve going forward.

“So obviously (on Friday) it’s necessary to step it up.”

The Serbian is one match away from a potential blockbuster semifinal against Canadian No. 4 seed Milos Raonic, who reached his first Grand Slam final earlier this month at Wimbledon and has emerged this year as a major threat to both Djokovic and British world No. 2 Andy Murray.