MASON, Ohio — Novak Djokovic rallied to stay alive for the one tournament title that has eluded him, reaching the quarterfinals of the Western & Southern Open with a 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 victory over David Goffin on Thursday.
Djokovic has never won Cincinnati. He's trying to become the first player to win all nine ATP Masters events in a career.
The top-ranked Serb became so frustrated after dropping the first game of the second set that he smacked his racket on the court three times, drawing a warning. He trailed the 24-year-old Belgian 3-1 in the final set before dominating the rest of the way.