Novak Djokovic earned a spot in the quarter-finals of the Rogers Cup with victory over Radek Stepanek.

Djokovic was far from convincing in beating Gilles Muller in the previous round of the Toronto tournament – his first match since losing in the third round at Wimbledon.

However, the Serbian had few problems seeing off Czech Stepanek on Thursday night, winning 6-2 6-4 in an hour and 28 minutes.

Next up for Djokovic at the Aviva Centre is another Czech – Tomas Berdych, who defeated Ryan Harrison 6-4 6-7 6-4.

Elsewhere, Stan Wawrinka booked a comfortable passage into the quarter-finals with a 7-6 6-2 victory over Jack Sock.

Second seed Wawrinka will face Kevin Anderson in his third last-eight appearance at the tournament after overcoming a tough opening set against Sock.

Anderson, the unseeded South African, progressed after clinching his third-round match against 12th seed Bernard Tomic 4-6 6-3 6-4.

Kei Nishikori swept aside qualifier Rajeev Ram with a 6-3 6-4 win during which he did not drop serve. Next up for the Japanese third seed is Grigor Dimitrov, a 6-3 7-5 conqueror of Ivo Karlovic.

Gael Monfils knocked out David Goffin 7-6 2-6 6-4 to book a quarter-final against Milos Raonic, a 6-2 6-3 conqueror of Jared Donaldson.