Contrasting matches for Djokovic and Nadal – day eight at the French Open
The big two in the men’s draw will meet in the quarter-final at Roland Garros.
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal had contrasting matches but still set up their hotly-anticipated quarter-final meeting.
Defending champion Djokovic was booed by sections of the crowd as he raced past Diego Schwartzman 6-1 6-3 6-3 and Nadal, still the darling of Roland Garros, needed five sets to see off Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Meanwhile, teenage dreams are still proving hard to beat in the women’s draw with Coco Gauff, 18, and 19-year-old Leylah Fernandez also through.
Here, the PA news agency looks back at day eight at the French Open.
Picture of the day
Nadal dropped the first set against the Canadian ninth seed, hit back to lead 2-1 and was then pegged back to a decider, eventually prevailing 3-6 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-3 in four hours and 21 minutes of pure drama.
Stat of the day
Quote of the day
Finding a shortcut is always handy in Paris.
Brit watch
Neal Skupski and Dutch partner Wesley Koolhof eased into the last eight of the men’s doubles with a 6-3 6-2 win over American pair Mackenzie McDonald and Tommy Paul. Skupski also reached the last eight of the mixed doubles alongside American Desirae Krawczyk.
Mixed feelings
Fallen seeds
Women: Jil Teichmann (23), Amanda Anisimova (27), Elise Mertens (31).
Men: Diego Schwartman (15), Karen Khachanov (21).
Up next
Iga Swiatek takes the next step on her seemingly inexorable march to the women’s title when she faces Chinese teenager Qinwen Zheng. Second seed Daniil Medvedev and fourth seed Stefanos Titsipas are also looking to book their quarter-final places.
