The Tribune

MONACO (AP) -- Novak Djokovic played just hours after learning about the death of his grandfather and defeated Alexandr Dolgopolov 2-6, 6-1, 6-4 yesterday to reach the Monte Carlo Masters quarterfinals. Seven-time defending champion Rafael Nadal followed Djokovic on court, routing Mikhail Kukushkin 6-1, 6-1. The Spaniard conceded only six points on his serve and broke the Kazakh qualifier five times. After clinching victory on his first match point, the top-ranked Djokovic crouched over with his hands on his knees as Dolgopolov applauded him at the net. Djokovic then appeared to wipe away tears with his forearm before pointing with both hands to the sky as he stood on center court for a few moments. Djokovic did not attend the usual post-match news conference, with the ATP saying he was too distressed. "He lost his grandfather today just before the match, and it was very hard for him to play," the ATP said in a statement. "After he won, he just felt totally exhausted physically, mentally and emotionally." Fourth-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France advanced to the last eight by beating No. 13 Fernando Verdasco of Spain 7-6 (7), 6-2, after twice coming off for rain delays. He'll play ninth-seeded Gilles Simon in an all-French quarterfinal after Simon beat No. 7 Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia 6-0, 4-6, 6-1. Nadal will face Stanislas Wawrinka, who defeated No. 8 Nicolas Almagro 6-3, 6-3. Third-seeded Andy Murray advanced after Julien Benneteau injured his ankle and retired near the end of a hard-fought first set with the score 6-5. He said later he had a fractured right elbow and sprained right ankle.