World number one Novak Djokovic overcame some early frustration to defeat Juan Monaco 4-6 6-2 6-3 in the third round of the Italian Open.
Djokovic initially struggled in windy conditions, smashing a racket and earning a warning from the umpire after handing 14th seed Monaco the opening set with consecutive backhand errors.
That flash of anger appeared to help Djokovic and he eliminated most of the mistakes during what turned into a comfortable cruise through the final two sets, dropping just five games.
"I hope the children watching don't do that," said Djokovic, referring to his racket smash.
"But I show my emotions out there. That's who I am.
"I struggled with the wind today and I was a bit defensive and passive in the first set but once I was more direct I started to play much better."
The top seed advances to a quarter-final against fifth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who emerged a surprisingly easy 6-4 6-1 winner over 10th seed Juan Martin Del Potro.
World number two Rafael Nadal, who Djokovic beat in last year's final, reached the last eight in contrasting style.
Nadal made light work of fellow Spaniard Marcel Granollers, winning 6-1 6-1 in one hour and 28 minutes, setting up a clash with seventh seed Tomas Berdych.
Berdych, a finalist last week in Madrid, claimed a 7-6 (7/3) 6-3 success against 12th seed Nicolas Almagro.
Roger Federer held off a spirited challenge by Spanish veteran Juan Carlos Ferrero to book his place in the quarter-finals with a hard-fought 6-2 5-7 6-1 victory.
Ferrero fought back after dropping the first set to seize the single decisive break in the second, only for the Swiss third seed to turn on the style in the decider and wrap up victory in one hour and 47 minutes.
Federer, seeking his second consecutive clay-court title after victory in Madrid next week, will play home favourite Andreas Seppi in the last eight after the Italian squeezed past Federer's Davis Cup team-mate Stanislas Wawrinka 6-7 (1/7) 7-6 (8/6) 7-6 (8/6).
Sixth seed David Ferrer got the better of 11th seed Gilles Simon 6-0 7-6 (7/5) and plays Andy Murray's conqueror Richard Gasquet for a place in the semi-final.
