World no. 1 Novak Novak Djokovic outfought Argentina’s Juan Monaco 4-6, 6-2, 6-3.
“It was difficult to play in the wind, but it was the same for both of us,” said Djokovic.
“I never expected an easy match against him on his favourite surface. I felt I started hitting the ball better. I found my rhythm.”
Second seeded Rafael Nadal mercilessly dispatched fellow Spaniard Marcel Granollers 6-1, 6-1 as they advance to the quarter-finals of the Italian Open.
Third seed Roger Federer recovered from a mid-match blip to beat Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain 6-2 5-7 6-1, also advances into the quarter-finals.
Fourth seed Andy Murray was beaten by 16th seed Richard Gasquet 6-7, (2-7), 6-3, 6-2 in the third round where the Briton made his early exit.
Gasquet goes on to face David Ferrer in the quarter-finals after the Spaniard beat French 11th seed Gilles Simon 6-0, 7-6, (7-5).
Defending champion Djokovic, who next plays either Wilfried Tsonga or Juan Martin del Potro.
Next up for Nadal is Tomas Berdych after last week’s Madrid Open runner-up overcame Spain’s Nicolas Almagro 7-6, (7-3), 6-3.
