Madrid Open: Djokovic delivers 'best performance of the year' to beat Monfils to meet Andy Murray

Novak Djokovic needed to win to avoid losing the top ATP ranking to second-placed Daniil Medvedev. Owing to the win, the Serb ensured that he could maintain his top ranking for at least one week after defeating Gael Monfils with a 6-3, 6-2 win at the Caja Magica. It was his 18th consecutive victory against his French opponent. 

After the match, Novak Djokovic said, "I would probably rate it as the best performance of the year, I would say. I felt very good on the court. I'm very pleased, considering that up to today, I was not playing my best tennis in the few tournaments that I played this year and still kind of finding my rhythm, finding my groove.

The 20-time major champion is getting back in form and finding his rhythm after not competing for much this season due to his reluctance to get vaccinated. He arrived in Madrid with renewed vigor after finishing as the runner-up at the Serbian Open in his hometown of Belgrade.

Novak Djokovic grabbed a one-set lead in 47 minutes after taking control of the match from Gael Monfils by saving three break points in his first two service games.

Novak Djokovic will clash with the British tennis player Andy Murray in the round of 16 of the tournament. Former World No. 1 Murray defeated Canadian Denis Shapovalov 6-1, 3-6, 6-2 in the round of 32. Novak Djokovic will face Andy Murray for the first time since the final at Doha at Qatar Open in January 2017. 

Novak Djokovic is head-to-head 25-11 against Andy Murray in his career. Ahead of the upcoming match, Andy Murray said, In theory, I should have no chance in the match. He is number one globally, and I am playing with a metal hip. It is a great opportunity for me to see where my game is and play against him again. We have had so many battles over the years at some of the biggest tournaments in the world.

Carlos Alcaraz defeats Nokoloz Basilashvili. 

In his first match, the Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz defeated Georgia's Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-3, 7-5 in Madrid as a top-10 player. Having recently won the trophy at Barcelona Open, Alcaraz has won three titles in the ongoing season until now and has extended his winning streak to six games.