Novak Djokovic admits he is benefiting from his US Open ban and is feeling fresh for the end of the season.
Djokovic's unvaccinated status prevented him from taking part in any North American events this summer, including the US Open and Masters competitions in Canada and Cincinnati. He returned after a three-month absence to win the Tel Aviv last week and cruised through to the quarter-finals of the Astana Open on Thursday.
The Serbian has now not tasted defeat since losing in the French Open in May and sent an ominous warning to his fellow players on the ATP Tour. After his win in Astana, Djokovic admitted: "I definitely am physically fresh and mentally motivated to do well.
"My season is different from any. So don’t look at my season as a comparison to other players’ seasons, I obviously haven't played for three months any official tournament before Israel."
Djokovic's 13-match unbeaten run has taken him to the last eight in Astana, where he faces off against Karen Khachanov.
The winner will face either Daniil Medvedev or Roberto Bautista Agut in the semi-finals, with Stefanos Tsitsipas or Andrey Rublev waiting in the final.
On his comfortable victory over Botic van de Zandschlup, the former world No.1 added: "I think my serve worked very well when I needed to get out of the trouble in the first set particularly.
"Botic is a quality tennis player. When he has time, he can hurt you, so I tried to take away that time from him and I’m very pleased with the way I played, particularly in the second.”
