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ROME (AP) -Third-ranked Novak Djokovic survived a mid-match scare from Igor Andreev, eliminating the Russian 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 Thursday to reach the Rome Masters quarterfinals.
Djokovic stopped taking medication for strep throat on Tuesday, and he appeared sluggish in the second set on a warm day at the Foro Italico.
"I knew it was going to be a tough match," Djokovic said. "He plays his best tennis on clay."
At the Monte Carlo Masters last month, Djokovic pulled out of his semifinal match against Roger Federer, citing dizziness and a sore throat.
The Australian Open winner will now play Spanish clay-court specialist Nicolas Almagro, who advanced with a walkover when No. 12 Fernando Gonzalez pulled out with a right leg injury.
"I hope I can recuperate physically for tomorrow," Djokovic said.
Gonzalez was the runner-up to Rafael Nadal last year and was coming off a title in Munich, Germany, last weekend.
Top-ranked Federer was next up on center court against big-serving Ivo Karlovic, the 2.08 meter (6-foot-10) Croatian.
The Federer-Karlovic winner will face Radek Stepanek, who defeated Peruvian qualifier Luis Horna 6-4, 1-6, 6-3.
Three-time defending champion Nadal was beaten in straight sets by 2001 champion Juan Carlos Ferrero on Wednesday.
"He's a normal person like all the rest of us," Djokovic said of Nadal. "He can lose on this surface too."
Ferrero, the only former Rome winner still in the draw, was to play Stanislas Wawrinka.
Also, No. 6 Andy Roddick faced rising local favorite Simone Bolelli of Italy.
