Djokovic had not lost a set in his first two matches of the tournament, an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event, but found his serve severely tested by the hard hitting Thiem.

The 14th seed forced eight break points during the opening set but was unable to take any of his opportunities.

Djokovic punished his rival by claiming the decisive break, winning the set 6-3.

Thiem converted one of his seven break points in the second set but lost his serve twice to Djokovic, who wrapped up a 6-3, 6-4 win.

Djokovic, looking to equal American legend Andre Agassi’s six Miami Open titles, with now face seventh seed Tomáš Berdych in the quarter-finals.

It followed the Czech star claiming a 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 victory over France’s Richard Gasquet in a gruelling contest.

With Britain’s Andy Murray, Switzerland’s Roger Federer and Spain’s Rafael Nadal all making early exits from the tournament, Japan’s Kei Nishikori is the second highest seed left in the draw.

The sixth seed claimed a quarter-final spot by cruising past Spain’s Roberto Bautista 6-2, 6-4 to remain on course to meet Djokovic in the final.

He will now face France’s Gaël Monfils, who came from a set down to beat Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov 6-7, 6-3, 6-3.

Australia’s Nick Kyrgios enjoyed a more straightforward fourth round tie, defeating Russia’s Andrey Kuznetsov 7-6, 6-3 to set up a clash with Milos Raonic.

The Canadian, beaten by Djokovic in the Indian Wells final earlier this month, had earned a 6-0, 6-3 win over Bosnia’s Damir Džumhur.

An all-French clash was won convincingly by Gilles Simon, brushing aside Lucas Pouille 6-0, 6-1.

Simon will take on Belgium’s David Goffin in the quarter-finals after he defeated Argentina’s Horacio Zeballos 7-5, 6-3.

Switzerland’s Timea Bacinszky secured a surprise victory in the first women’s quarter-final, as see defeated fifth seed Simona Halep of Romania 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.

She will now face the challenge of Svetlana Kuzentsova, who prevailed in an all-Russian tie against Ekaterina Makarova 6-7, 6-4, 6-3.