Defending champion Rafael Nadal and world No 1 Novak Djokovic have set up a mouthwatering quarter-final clash at the French Open.
The Spaniard got through his hardest test at the current year's competition, dropping his first set against the vivacious Jack Sock, however finished off a 6-3 6-1 5-7 6-2 victory. With the win, Nadal made ready for a meeting with Djokovic, who secured the exciting Paris confrontation after a prevailing 6-1 6-2 6-3 win over Frenchman Richard Gasquet. Sock had given couple of suggestions that he could square Nadal's way while dropping the initial two sets, yet constrained the 6th seed into a fourth set with abrasive resistance.
Unleashing burning ground strokes, the Florida man quickly drew his adversary into a firefight, until Nadal cudgeled him into accommodation with his own particular blasting shots.
After a conventional workout, the nine-time champion could talk about the possibility of putting his crown on hold against Djokovic at Roland Garros.
"He's the world No 1 and is having an awesome season," said Nadal. "It'll be a confounded match."
The Serb triumphed shortly afterwards as Gasquet was unable to offer much resistance in front of his deflated home crowd.
"It's the biggest challenge I can have on clay," Djokovic, who needs a French Open title to complete the career Grand Slam, said of playing Nadal.
"He's lost just once here in his career."
Djokovic and Nadal have played each other 43 times at ATP and Davis Cup level, with the Spaniard holding a slight head-to-head edge with 23 match victories to Djokovic's 20.
Nadal holds a much bigger 14-5 advantage on matches played on clay, while he has a 6-0 record against Djokovic at Roland Garros.Djokovic has, however, won five out of his last six meetings with Nadal, with two of those victories coming on clay.
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Tennis