Tennis world number one Novak Djokovic and defending champion Rafael Nadal will clash in a French Open quarter-final blockbuster in one of the sport's most-eagerly awaited clashes of recent times.
The nine times French Open champion Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning his match at Roland Garros. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
World number one and top seed Djokovic eased into the last eight with a 6-1 6-2 6-3 win over France's Richard Gasquet.
Defending champion Nadal, seeking a 10th Roland Garros crown, beat unseeded American Jack Sock in four sets.
It was Nadal's 70th career win at the French Open against just one defeat and his 39th in a row at the tournament he has dominated for a decade.
Djokovic, who needs a French Open title to complete the career grand slam, says it's the biggest challenge I can have on clay.
On facing Djokovic, sixth-seed Nadal says he'll have to play his best tennis.
Nadal has beaten Djokovic in the 2012 and 2014 finals in Paris as well as the 2013 semi-finals and holds a career 23-20 edge in head-to-head meetings.
Earlier, Roger Federer and Andy Murray swept into the quarter-finals with four-set wins.
Second seed Federer, the 2009 champion, made the last eight for the 11th time with a 4 set win over France's Gael Monfils and goes on to face Davis Cup-winning teammate Stan Wawrinka.
British third seed Murray ended the hopes of another home player, seeing off unseeded Jeremy Chardy in 4.
He will next take on seventh-seeded Spaniard David Ferrer.
