Novak Djokovic believes his game is finally coming together at the Rome Masters ahead of his quarter-final with Kei Nishikori, live on Sky Sports Arena on Friday.
The 12-time Grand Slam champion has been fighting to regain form and fitness following a six-month lay-off before the Australian Open.
The 30-year-old fell to Kyle Edmund in the Madrid Open second round last week, but the Serb is faring better in Rome, advancing to the last eight without dropping a set.
Ahead of his encounter with Nishikori, 11th-seed Djokovic – who has reached eight of the last 10 Italian Open finals, winning four – admits he is enjoying his run at Foro Italico.
“I’m happy. I haven’t had too many matches of this quality of my tennis in the last 12 months,” said Djokovic.
“I think this was probably one of the three matches that I played this way in the last 12 months. So, it felt good.
“And it came at the right time in the place where I love to play, where I get a lot of support.
“I’m just trying to thrive on this energy that I get from people here. I’ve historically always played well in Rome, and I feel like each match is getting better.”
Former world No 1 Djokovic got the better of Nishikori in Madrid last week, winning 7-5 6-4, while their last meeting in Rome came two years ago in the semi-finals, where the Serb prevailed in three sets.
But despite the 12-2 record he holds over Nishikori – having not lost since the 2014 US Open semi-final – Djokovic is expecting a tough test on Friday.
“I expect a big fight from both of us. We had some epic matches also here a couple years ago, semi-finals,” Djokovic added.
“With Kei you know that you’re going into a match where balls will come very quick from each part of the court.
“So, I have to be able to start off with the right intensity and try to impose my game, my tactics.
“But it’s not going to be easy, because he also likes playing here. I saw [his] result was quite easy. So, he’s also in a good form. He’s raising his level of tennis.
“So, I think this match comes at the right time for both of us to see where we are with our game.”
