Top seed Djokovic advances over showman Stepanek

Novak Djokovic stopped tennis showman Radek Stepanek on Thursday with a 6-2, 6-4 victory to march into the quarter-finals of the Toronto Masters.The top seed and three-time Canadian titleholder won in a light-hearted match-up with one of the characters of the ATP Tour as the 37-year-old Stepanek kept the crowd entertained with extravagant shot-making.Several times, the Czech took victory laps around the court after winning shots, often to the delight of Djokovic, who now stands an overwhelming 12-1 in the series with his frequent training partner.“It’s quite enjoyable to play Radek, he’s such an entertainer,” Djokovic said.”It’s not easy to play someone you know so well and respect a lot.“We are all grateful to him for staying in the sport for such a long time.”Djokovic took the opening set but went down a break in the second, earning it back as he won a nine-minute fourth game for 2-2.From that point on, he did not drop a point on serve.“I just wanted to focus on each point and not allow him to go up a break again. There were a lot of close games, it could have gone a different way in the second set.“I was fortunate to stay tough. Conditions here are very quick, It’s not easy to break serve, plus Radek takes away a lot of your time with his angled returns.”Djokovic now faces Czech fifth seed Tomas Berdych, who got past Ryan Harrison of the US 6-4, 6-7 (2/7), 6-4.Second seed Stan Wawrinka matched his best career result at the event with a 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 defeat of American Jack Sock.It was the first time in five years that the double Grand Slam champion Swiss had reached the last eight in Canada; he went out in an opening match a year ago to Nick Kyrgios and got to the third round in 2014.The 31-year-old, who will depart for the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro as soon as his run in Canada is complete, saved all three break points he faced against the 16th-seeded Sock.The first set provided a challenge, with Wawrinka winning it in a decider to seize the match momentum.“You need to be careful in tiebreaks, and really focus,” said Wawrinka.”I feel positive now after this win - let’s see what happens.”Wawrinka next plays South African Kevin Anderson, who overhauled 12th seed Bernard Tomic 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in two hours, firing 26 aces and saving eight of nine break points.“I’ve lost many times (four) against him (Anderson).I lost two years ago when I played him here. It’s always been difficult to beat him, but hopefully I can do that tomorrow,” Wawrinka said.Japan’s third seed Kei Nishikori reached the quarters without the loss of a set as an injury from Wimbledon fades away.Asia’s top player advanced over Rajeev Ram 6-3, 6-4.Results3rd rdMilos Raonic (CAN x4) bt Jared Donaldson (USA) 6-2, 6-3Novak Djokovic (SRB x1) bt Radek Stepanek (CZE) 6-2, 6-4Kei Nishikori (JPN x3) bt Rajeev Ram (USA) 6-3, 6-4Kevin Anderson (RSA) bt Bernard Tomic (AUS x12) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4Stan Wawrinka (SUI x2) bt Jack Sock (USA x16) 7-6 (7/3), 6-2Gael Monfils (FRA x10) bt David Goffin (BEL x7) 7-6 (7/5), 2-6, 6-4Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) bt Ivo Karlovic (CRO) 6-3, 7-5Tomas Berdych (CZE x5) bt Ryan Harrison (USA) 6-4, 6-7 (2-7), 6-4