Djokovic struggles to reach Marseille quarters

By Eric Salliot

MARSEILLE (Reuters) - Top seed Novak Djokovic overcame tenacious Czech Jan Hernych 7-5 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals of the Marseille Open on Thursday.

The 21-year-old Serb broke early in the game but squandered his advantage before taking Hernych''s serve again at the end of the first set.

Hernych, 29, produced another comeback in the second set while trailing 4-1, however world number three Djokovic made the most of his experience to prevail in 92 minutes.

"I was a little bit nervous and I made quite a lot of unforced errors, especially with my forehand. But the most important thing is that I won," Djokovic told reporters.

"I want to go as far as possible," he added.

Djokovic next meets German Mischa Zverev, who beat Frenchman Arnaud Clement 6-4 5-7 6-2.

Second seed Gilles Simon found the going even harder than Djokovic in his 6-4 4-6 6-2 win over German Rainer Schuettler.

"When I came on court, my aim was to stay focused on my game," Frenchman Simon said. "All went well in the first set and I had the opportunity to take the lead early in the second but I lost my concentration and then I had to fight.

"I think I could have won in only two sets and it''s a shame to spend so much time on court while we have to play every day," the world number eight added after his two-hour game.

Simon next faces fellow Frenchman Julien Benneteau, who also booked his place in the quarter-finals with a 6-1 2-6 6-1 win over Swiss lucky loser George Bastl.

Another Frenchman made it to the last eight when Jo-Wilfried Tsonga overpowered Italy''s Simone Bolelli 6-3 6-2 in one hour.

Fourth seed Tsonga fired 10 aces and conceded only eight points on his serve.

"I was aggressive and took command of the game. I felt really well on court and that''s why I tried some nice shots," he told reporters.

"I think I have reached a new level as I don''t lose anymore against players ranked lower than me," Tsonga added. "This is my second win here and hopefully there will be a third, a fourth and a fifth."

Tsonga meets Spain''s Feliciano Lopez in the quarter-finals.

(Writing by Bertrand Boucey in Paris, editing by Alison Wildey)