"Off the court we've known each other for quite a long time, he has a similar style of tennis as I do" - Djokovic on surviving scare against Coric to reach Vienna QF

It was a repeat performance for Novak Djokovic at the Erste Bank Open Vienna, as the top seed claimed a dramatic first set from Borna Coric before eventually winning the match to advance to the quarterfinals.

The World No.1 saved four set points in the first set as an inspired Coric never backed down, but the Serbian was able to escape with the tiebreak before cruising to a 7-6(11) 6-3 victory in two hours and eight minutes.

“It was very tiring and very challenging. Obviously Borna is a great fighter. He’s a very good friend of mine. Off the court we’ve known each other for quite a long time,” Djokovic said after the match. “He has kind of a similar style of tennis as I do. From the backhand corner he’s very solid and he is trying to create points with his forehand. He was serving very well, especially in the first set. It was very difficult for me to return his serve.”

Djokovic is yet to drop a set against Coric, as he improves to 4-0 in head-to-head meetings against the Croat. The 2007 champion displayed great mental strength towards the end of the first set, as he maintained his poise to eventually draw the errors from the 23-year old Croatian.

”The tie-break again like yesterday against Krajinovic decided the match, I guess. I read his passing shot at 5/6 in the tie-break. He had quite an easy backhand. I read him, I made a short forehand volley,” Djokovic said. “These kinds of things happen and I’m just really glad to stay focused and play my best at the right time.”

The World No.1 awaits the winner between Hubert Hurkacz and Lorenzo Sonego, as he looks to book his spot in the semifinals. Furthermore, Djokovic is now guaranteed to finish the year as World No.1 for a record-tying sixth time unless Nadal takes a wild card into the ATP 250 event in Sofia next month. Should Djokovic win the title in Vienna, then he'll retain the No.1 ranking regardless of Nadal's results for the rest of the year.