Nine-time champion Rafael Nadal surged into the French Open quarter-finals for a record-equalling 11th time yesterday, while reigning women’s title-holder Garbine Muguruza crashed out in the last 16.
Nadal continued his ruthless form at Roland Garros by dispatching Spanish 17th seed Roberto Bautista Agut 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 to match Roger Federer’s mark of last-eight appearances in Paris.
The 14-time major winner is yet to drop a set, conceding just six games in the last two rounds as he strives to become the first man to win 10 titles at a single Grand Slam.
“I’m happy because Roberto is a very good player. It’s very important for me to be in the quarter-finals one more time,” said Nadal, who turned 31 on Saturday.
“Probably I didn’t play as well as I did the other day, but I still played well.”
The fourth seed will meet compatriot Pablo Carreno Busta, through to his first Slam quarter-final, for spot in the last four after the latter stunned Canada’s Milos Raonic.
Carreno Busta, seeded 20th, needed seven match points to clinch a thrilling 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-7 (6/8), 6-4, 8-6 win over the fifth-seeded Raonic in four hours and 17 minutes.
Japan’s Kei Nishikori fought off a fierce five-set challenge from rising South Korean talent Hyeon Chung to clinch a place in the last 16.
‘Second chance’
Karen Khachanov will play Andy Murray in the fourth round after the giant Russian beat American 21st seed John Isner 7-6 (7/1), 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/3).
Kristina Mladenovic ensured France will have women in the quarter-finals for the first time since 1994 after dumping out fourth seed Muguruza 6-1, 3-6, 6-3.
The French 13th seed is through to just her second Slam quarter-final — after the 2015 US Open — and will face Switzerland’s Timea Bacsinszky for a spot in the last four.
Danish 11th seed Caroline Wozniacki knocked off 2009 champion Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-1, 4-6, 6-2 to reach the last eight for just the second time.
Wozniacki, who made her only other quarter-final appearance at Roland Garros in 2010, will meet Latvian teenager Jelena Ostapenko next.
“Svetlana’s a great player, especially on clay so I knew it wouldn’t be easy,” said Wozniacki, a two-time US Open runner-up.
Second seed Karolina Pliskova advanced to round four with a 7-5, 6-1 victory over Germany’s Carina Witthoeft.
Pliskova, who had won just twice in five previous French Open appearances before this year, will face Paraguay’s Veronica Cepede Royg for a quarter-final spot.
World number 290 and qualifier Petra Martic reached the last 16 with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Latvian 17th seed Anastasija Sevastova.
Key Results (X denotes seeding)
Men
Pablo Carreño-Busta (ESP x20) bt Milos Raonic (CAN x5) 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-7 (6/8), 6-4, 8-6
Rafael Nadal (ESP x4) bt Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP x17) 6-1, 6-2, 6-2
Dominic Thiem (AUT x6) bt Horacio Zeballos (ARG) 6-1, 6-3, 6-1
Kei Nishikori (JPN x8) bt Hyeon Chung (KOR) 7-5, 6-4, 6-7 (4/7), 0-6, 6-4
Gael Monfils (FRA x15) bt Richard Gasquet (FRA x24) 7-6 (7/5), 5-7, 4-3 — retired
Women
Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) bt Samantha Stosur (AUS x23) 2-6, 6-2, 6-4
Caroline Wozniacki (DEN x11) bt Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS x8) 6-1, 4-6, 6-2
Kristina Mladenovic (FRA x13) bt Garbiñe Muguruza (ESP x4) 6-1, 3-6, 6-3
Timea Bacsinszky (SUI x30) bt Venus Williams (USA x10) 5-7, 6-2, 6-1
Karolína Plísková (CZE x2) bt Carina Witthoeft (GER) 7-5, 6-1