Rome  - Holder Novak Djokovic mowed down Tommy Robredo 6-1, 6-1 as the third seed played untouchable tennis on Thursday to reach the quarter-finals of the Rome Masters.

The Serb, who will compete in his own new event next week in Belgrade, secured a 5-1 career scoreline over the Spaniard, grabbing victory in just 63 minutes.

Djokovic will face the winner from last year's beaten finalist Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland and Argentine fifth seed Juan Del Potro.

The Serb broke six times on his way to victory under cloudy skies with a brief rain interruption of a minute or two at the Foro Italico.

The win spoiled Robredo's 27th birthday celebrations set for Friday, but left the 21-year-old Djokovic 28-9 on the year with February's Dubai title in his pocket.

Chile's 12th seed Fernando Gonzalez will line up in the quarters against Argentine Juan Monaco after defeating Austrian Juergen Melzer 3-6, 6-3, 7-5.

Monaco, who knocked out fourth seed Andy Murray to prevent the Brit form possibly overhauling Djokovic on the third ranking spot this week, defeated Croatian 15th seed Marin Cilic 6-4, 6-4. (dpa)