Home Tennis News Novak Djokovic

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic insists he won't be taking Felix Auger-Aliassime for granted as he has called the Canadian "an established top-10 player." On Thursday, Djokovic saw off Stan Wawrinka 6-2 6-2 to progress into the Rome quarterfinal.

On the other side, Auger-Aliassime overcame Marcos Giron 6-3 6-2 to reach the last-8 at Foro Italico. Djokovic and Auger-Aliassime will be going head-to-head for the first time in their respective careers when they meet in the Rome quarterfinal.

"I think he's been improving a lot on clay. He's been working with Toni Nadal for last couple years, who has definitely been contributing to his game on clay," Djokovic said, per Sasa Ozmo. "He's an established top-20, top-10 player for few years.

Very complete game. Very nice guy. Works hard. He's one of the leaders of the next generation." #Djokovic on Felix: I think he's been improving a lot on clay. He's been working with Toni Nadal for last couple years, who has definitely been contributing to his game on clay. 1/2 — Saša Ozmo (@ozmo_sasa) May 12, 2022 #Djokovic on Felix: He's an established top-20, top-10 player for few years. Very complete game. Very nice guy. Works hard. He's one of the leaders of the next generation. 2/2 — Saša Ozmo (@ozmo_sasa) May 12, 2022

#Djokovic on Felix: I think he's been improving a lot on clay. He's been working with Toni Nadal for last couple years, who has definitely been contributing to his game on clay.

1/2 — Saša Ozmo (@ozmo_sasa) May 12, 2022

#Djokovic on Felix: He's an established top-20, top-10 player for few years. Very complete game. Very nice guy. Works hard. He's one of the leaders of the next generation.

2/2 — Saša Ozmo (@ozmo_sasa) May 12, 2022

For the first time since 2019, Djokovic and Wawrinka clashed against each other. Tennis fans were hoping for another showdown between the two but it wasn't the case as Djokovic pretty easily overcame Wawrinka.

Djokovic made a fast start to the match, breaking Wawrinka in the opening game of the match. Djokovic earned his second break in the seventh game and then served out for the first set in the following game. After winning the first set, Djokovic started the second with a break in the opening game.

Wawrinka had his first break point in the second game but Djokovic saved to go 2-0 up. Wawrinka also had two break points in the fourth game but again missed out as Djokovic took a 3-1 lead. In the fifth game, Djokovic broke Wawrinka to take a 4-1 lead and go up by a double break.

Wawrinka got one break back in the sixth game but Djokovic claimed his third break of the set in the seventh game and served out for the match in the following game. Djokovic now owns a 20-6 head-to-head versus Wawrinka.