World number one Novak Djokovic beat Czech Republic’s Radek Stepanek in straight sets to book his place in the quarter-finals of the Rogers Cup ©Getty Images

World number one Novak Djokovic beat Czech Republic’s Radek Stepanek in straight sets to book his place in the quarter-finals of the Rogers Cup at the Aviva Centre at York University in Toronto.

The Serb cruised to a 6-2, 6-4 victory to set up a last-eight encounter with another Czech, fifth seed Tomas Berdych, who defeated the United States' Ryan Harrison 6-4, 6-7, 6-4.

Djokovic will certainly fancy his chances of reaching the semi-finals as he holds an impressive 24-2 head-to-head record over Berdych.

Second seed Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland also advanced to the quarter-finals after overcoming American Jack Sock 7-6, 6-2.

Next up for the two-time Grand Slam champion is South Africa’s Kevin Anderson, who came from behind to claim a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over 12th seed Bernard Tomic of Australia.

Other players through to the last-eight include Japanese third seed Kei Nishikori, a comfortable 6-3, 6-4 winner at the expense of the US’s Rajeev Ram, and Canadian fourth seed Milos Raonic, who beat American Jared Donaldson 6-2, 6-3.

"I'm still not 100 per cent yet, but feeling pretty strong," said Nishikori.

"We'll have to see after a couple of more matches, but right now I feel good."

Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov, a 6-3, 7-5 victor over Croatia’s Ivo Karlovic, awaits Nishikori in the quarter-finals, while France’s Gael Monfils will go up against Raonic after defeating Belgium’s David Goffin 7-6, 2-6, 6-4.

Germany's Angelique Kerber proved too strong for Ukraine's Elina Svitolina ©Getty Images
Germany's Angelique Kerber proved too strong for Ukraine's Elina Svitolina ©Getty Images

In the third round of the women’s draw in Montreal, Germany's Angelique Kerber beat Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina 1-6, 7-6, 6-4 to remain on course for success.

Kerber is the highest-ranked player in the draw following the withdrawal of American Serena Williams and next goes up against Russia’s Daria Kasatkina, who upset Italian seventh seed Roberta Vinci with a 7-5, 6-3 win.

British number one Johanna Konta reached the quarter-finals with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over American Varvara Lepchenko.

The 25-year-old, who claimed her first WTA Tour title in California on Sunday (July 31), will meet Kristina Kucova for a place in the semi-finals after the Slovak beat home favourite Eugenie Bouchard 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.

World number six Venus Williams lost 6-1, 6-7, 6-3 to fellow American Madison Keys, who next faces Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova - a 6-4, 6-7, 6-1 winner against Polish fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska.