Cincinnati: World Number one Novak Djokovic on Thursday reached the quarterfinals of Cincinnati Open after producing an efficient victory over 53rd-ranked Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta. Meanwhile, third seed Roger Federer crashed out of Cincy after losing to Russia's Andrey Rublev.
Djokovic was never in danger in his 6-3, 6-4 triumph over Busta, whom he finished off in 90 minutes on Wednesday.
Federer fell in a first-time meeting with Rublev, who posted a 6-3, 6-4 upset.
Defending champion Djokovic will continue his quest in a Friday quarter-final, taking on France's Lucas Pouille, a 6-7 (3/7), 6-4, 6-2 winner over Russian Karen Khachanov.
Djokovic earned his eighth straight victory at Cincinnati on the first of two match points.
"I'm very pleased today. I beat a top-quality player," Djokovic said.
"It was straight sets but the score doesn't indicate how tough it was.
"He had break points in both sets and I got out of trouble with some good serves. Overall, it was a really good match."
Federer, the seven-time Cincinnati champion who turned 38 last week, was unable to make an impression on Rublev, playing only his second match since losing the Wimbledon final to Djokovic.
"I struggled on my serve early on. Got broken the first service games, and there you have it," Federer said.
"That sort of set the tone for the match maybe a little bit.
"But the combination was tough: he was playing well. I was maybe struggling especially on the offensive. I didn't think I was feeling the ball badly, but sometimes can't rely on that serve to the one-two punch."
Rublev, a 21-year-old Russian qualifier who missed months last season with injury, was shell-shocked at his win over the 20-time Grand Slam champion.
"It's an amazing feeling when you play such a legend as Roger," he said.
"At least 99 percent of the crowd was supporting him.
"Today I was just trying to do my best. I told myself I need to play every point to the end. No matter what the situation, I kept fighting."
