In a humid and grey afternoon next to the Mediterranean, Djokovic was warmly welcomed by a packed crowd as the news of his loss spread in the Monte Carlo Country Club alleys. Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball to Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan during the Monte Carlo Masters in Monaco April 19, 2012.
Nadal will face Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka, who defeated Spanish eighth seed Nicolas Almagro 6-3 6-3. Rafa Nadal ominously moved a step closer to winning a record eighth consecutive title at the principality by demolishing Kazakhstan's Mikhail Kukushkin 6-1 6-1. Novak Djokovic of Serbia clasps his hands and looks skywards after defeating Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine during the Monte Carlo Masters in Monaco April 19, 2012.
The Serb, who was told about his loss while practising in the morning, struggled to control his emotions when he walked on court for the match and then broke down in tears after completing a gutsy 2-6 6-1 6-4 win over Dolgopolov. MONTE CARLO - World number one Novak Djokovic raised his eyes and arms to the sky after beating Ukraine's Alexandr Dolgopolov to reach the Monte Carlo Masters quarter-finals on Thursday just hours after learning of the death of his grandfather.