By Erik Gudris | Thursday, April 17, 2014

 

Defending champion Novak Djokovic overwhelmed Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta in 47 minutes to reach the Monte Carlo quarterfinals.

Photo Credit: AP

Novak Djokovic once again raced away with a commanding victory at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters that suggests his recent winning streak may just be getting started.

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Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain found himself with the challenge of trying to stop the red-hot Djokovic in their third round meeting on Thursday. Carreno Busta, fresh off an upset win of Gael Monfils, is among a crop of rising young players loaded with potential.

Despite many pointing to Carreno Busta as perhaps the next great Spanish champion, it was clear from his encounter with Djokovic that the Gijon native has a lot to learn about competing against the tour's very best during this first time meeting for both.

Djokovic pounced early by claiming a quick break of serve over Carreno Busta. Soon, Djokovic ripped a perfect down the line backhand winner to hold his own serve at love for 3-0. Though the young Spaniard would keep up his end in some of the longer baseline rallies, Djokovic always had the correct answer to swing the point his way. Down 0-4, Carreno Busta ripped a huge return at Djokovic who responded with an even better forehand winner.

Yet another Djokovic forehand winner a few games later gave the defending champion a 6-0 opening set in just 22 minutes.

The second set would prove a repeat of the earlier one. Though Carreno Busta would hold a game point in his opening service game, the relentless pressure coming from Djokovic proved too much. Carreno Busta would net a backhand that sent the game to deuce with Djokovic soon breaking for a 2-0 lead.

With the crowd now encouraging Carreno Busta to at least get on the scoreboard, the Spaniard finally did so with a backhand winner in the fourth game for 3-1. But it was only a brief reprieve as Djokovic, already with 19 winners, resumed his control.

Running away with the last eight points of the match, the final one won with a perfect sliding away drop shot winner, Djokovic closed out the 6-0, 6-1 victory in just 47 minutes. Djokovic dominated with 24 winners to just four from his opponent. Djokovic also was a perfect 100% on his second serve points won.

A very pleased looking Boris Becker nodded his approval at Djokovic who now owns a 14-0 match record since the start of Indian Wells a month ago. Though it may be too early to say if Djokovic is starting yet another undefeated run like he did a few years ago, at least this week, Djokovic continues to prove his recent momentum may be very difficult to stop.

Next up for Djokovic is another Spaniard in Guillermo Garcia-Lopez who upset Tomas Berdych 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.