World no. 1 Novak Djokovic advanced into the semi-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters by defeating Robin Haase 6-4, 6-2.
The grief stricken top seed, whose grandfather died on Thursday, prevailed over his rival despite admitting that he could not fully focus during his last-eight tie.
Djokovic, who will play Tomas Berdych in the semi-finals after the Czech beat Andy Murray, came through an emotional match on Thursday after playing just hours after the death of his grandfather. He revealed he had considered withdrawing from the event.
“Yes, I did. But I’m a professional and life goes on,” he said. “I know that I cannot change anything now.
The top seed, who struggled against Alexander Dolgopolov in the previous round, looked more like his usual self in the opening stages against Haase with two breaks of serve giving him a 4-1 lead in the opening set.
The Dutchman responded with two breaks of his own to level the scores, but another break for Djokovic was enough to give him the set.
Djokovic looked distracted at times, missing a first chance to serve out for the match at 5-1 before breaking the unseeded Haase for the seventh time to seal victory.
The Serbian Wimbledon, US Open and Australian Open champion added: “Any time is the wrong time to receive that news.
Today was a bit better, but still a lot of emotional ups and downs throughout the match. I got to the semi-finals, which is big result for me under the circumstances.
Meanwhile, second seed Rafael Nadal won 7-5, 6-4 against Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland.
Nadal, chasing his eight consecutive title in Monte Carlo, saw off a spirited challenge from unseeded Swiss Wawrinka.
The Spaniard is playing his first tournament since a recurrence of his knee problems forced him to withdraw from his semi-final against Andy Murray in Miami.
Nadal won three games in a row with his Swiss rival to claim the first set, then a break at the start of the second was enough to see him through.
The Spaniard will be meeting Gilles Simon of France in the semi-finals after the Frenchman defeated compatriot Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-5, 6-4.
Earlier, Czech Tomas Berdych defeated Briton Andy Murray, with a 6-7, 6-2, 6-3 victory in the quarter-final.
