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Rome - Novak Djokovic moved into his first quarter-final of 2018 on Thursday when he defeated Spain's Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-1, 7-5 at the Italian Open.
The four-time Rome champion is making his way back this year after a six-month injury absence before the Australian Open, which was followed by elbow surgery.
And the 30-year-old showed some of his old form as he got past Ramos-Vinolas to set up a rematch with Japan's Kei Nishikori for a semi-final berth.
The 11th-seeded Serb, who has reached eight of the last ten finals in Rome, beat Nishikori in the first round in Madrid last week before falling in the second to Britain's Kyle Edmund.
"I'm happy. I haven't had too many matches of this quality of my tennis in the last 12 months," said the 12-time Grand Slam champion whose last quarter-final run came at Wimbledon last year.
"I think this was probably one of the three matches that I played this way in the last 12 months. So, it felt good.
"And it came at the right time in the place where I love to play, where I get a lot of support.
"I'm just trying to thrive on this energy that I get from people here. I've historically always played well in Rome, and I feel like each match is getting better."
Former world number one Djokovic has slipped six places to 18th after his second-round defeat in Madrid, his lowest ranking since October 2006.
Nishikori, ranked 24, who retired in the second round in Barcelona last month with a leg injury, needed just over an hour to see off Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-1, 6-2 at the Foro Italico.
"It was great match. I think I played perfect tennis today," said 28-year-old Nishikori.
Djokovic said: "I expect a big fight from both of us. We had some epic matches also here a couple years ago, semi-finals.
"With Kei you know that you're going into a match where balls will come very quick from each part of the court.
"So, I have to be able to start off with the right intensity and try to impose my game, my tactics.
"But it's not going to be easy, because he also likes playing here.
"I saw the result (today) was quite easy. So, he's also in a good form. He's raising his level of tennis.
"So, I think this match tomorrow comes at the right time for both of us to see where we are with our game."
Results from the ATP and WTA Masters tournament in Rome on Thursday (x denotes seeded player):
Women
3rd round
Simona Halep (ROU x1) bt Madison Keys (USA x13) -- walkover
Maria Sharapova (RUS) bt Daria Gavrilova (AUS) 6-3, 6-4
Jelena Ostapenko (LAT x5) bt Johanna Konta (GBR) 2-6, 6-3, 6-4
Angelique Kerber (GER x11) bt Maria Sakkari (GRE) 6-1, 6-1
Elina Svitolina (UKR x4) bt Daria Kasatkina (RUS x14) 0-6, 6-3, 6-2
Anett Kontaveit (EST) bt Venus Williams (USA x8) 6-2, 7-6 (7/3)
Men
3rd round
Rafael Nadal (ESP x1) bt Denis Shapovalov (CAN) 6-4, 6-1
Fabio Fognini (ITA) bt Peter Gojowczyk (GER) 6-4, 6-4
Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP x10) bt Aljaz Bedene (SLO) 6-4, 6-7 (3/7), 6-2
Marin Cilic (CRO x4) bt Benoit Paire (FRA) 6-3, 6-4
David Goffin (BEL x9) bt Juan Martin del Potro (ARG x5) 6-2, 4-5 -- retired
Alexander Zverev (GER x2) bt Kyle Edmund (GBR) 7-5, 7-6 (13/11)
