Djokovic welcomes plan for fans to attend Italian Open

ROME World No. 1 Novak Djokovic on Friday welcomed the Italian government's decision to allow up to 1,000 spectators for the final two days of the Italian Open in Rome.

Professional sports events in Italy have been played without fans since March due to the COVID -19 pandemic, but sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora said fans would be allowed to attend the closing stages of the tournament on Sunday and Monday.

Apart from the tennis masters, two Serie A matches this weekend and the Formula One race at Imola in November are also set to allow up to 1,000 spectators.

“I hope that's true. If we are going to have 1,000 people, it's better than no people,” Djokovic told reporters after he advanced to the quarter-finals in Rome with a 7-6(7), 6-3 victory over fellow Serb Filip Krajinovic.

“We all miss the fans, and part of our professional careers in sport is playing in front of them and for them, as well. So I'm really glad that's going to happen.”

Djokovic also said he hoped the matches would be played on the main court at the Foro Italico.

“I heard also they are considering to use Pietrangeli or Nextgen court for semifinals and finals,” he said.

“I hope it's not the case, because the quality of the clay and quality of the centre court is, in my opinion, much better than the other courts.”

Djokovic will take on German Dominik Koepfer, who ended Italian teen Lorenzo Musetti's dream run with a 6-4, 6-0 win.

Musetti, 18, had beaten Stan Wawrinka and Kei Nishikori in the first two rounds.

Earlier, Canada's Denis Shapovalov, the No. 12 seed, rallied to beat world No. 47 Ugo Humbert of France 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-4 in the third round on Friday.

Second seed Rafa Nadal, seeking his 10th title in Rome, also advanced with a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Dusan Lajovic to set up a clash with Argentine Diego Schwartzman.

In the women's field, top seeds Simona Halep and Karolina Pliskova moved into the quarter-finals.