Brisbane Open: Djokovic beats Monfils for the 20th time in a row

Serb Novak Djokovic, the top seed, moved into the quarter-finals of the Brisbane Open by defeating Frenchman Gael Monfils 6-3, 6-3 at the Queensland Tennis Centre on Thursday.

This was the former world No 1’s 20th career win over Monfils in as many matches, extending the record for the most one-sided rivalry in ATP history.

Djokovic, ranked No 7, will face American Reilly Opelka next. The Serb is now through to his 217th ATP Tour-level quarter-final, the joint fourth (along with Ivan Lendl) on the men’s tour. Only Jimmy Connors (276), Roger Federer (245) and Rafael Nadal (226) have reached more quarter-finals in their careers.

The 37-year-old Serb won against Australian wildcard Rinky Hijikata (6-3, 6-3) earlier in the week.

In the previous round of the tournament, Monfils, ranked No 55, won against American qualifier Nishesh Basavareddy (6-4, 4-6, 6-1).

Brisbane ATP 250, other second-round matches (Queensland Tennis Centre, hard, USD 766,290):

• Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard beat Frances Tiafoe (4): 6-4, 7-6 (4)
• Reilly Opelka beat Matteo Arnaldi: 7-6 (9), 7-6 (4)
• Jakub Mensik beat Dusan Lajovic (LL): 6-3, 6-2
• Jordan Thompson (8) beat Alex Michelsen: 7-5, 6-3
• Grigor Dimitrov (2) beat Aleksandar Vukic (WC): 6-2, 7-6 (5)
• Nicolas Jarry beat Benjamin Bonzi (Q): 6-2, 6-3
• Jiri Lehecka beat Yoshihito Nishioka (Q): 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-4

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