World No.1 Novak Djokovic has earned a record-breaking 11th consecutive quarter-final appearance at the French Open with a 6-4 6-3 6-3 victory against Russian Karen Khachanov.
Djokovic, who is aiming for a second Roland Garros title since 2016, secured the win in 2 hours 26 minutes under the roof of Court Philippe Chatrier as heavy rain poured down in Paris.
Earlier, Greece’s Stefanos Tsitipas, seeded fifth, advanced as he battled past Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov 6-3 7-6 (11-9) 6-2 in an enthralling 2:26 hours match.
Tsitsipas moves into a quarter-final against 13th seeded Andrey Rublev – a 6-7 (4-7) 7-5 6-4 7-6 (7-3) winner over Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics – in a rematch of last week’s Hamburg final won by the Russian.
“Both of us had tough, tough week in Hamburg, tough final,” said Rublev.
“I hope it’s going to be interesting.”
Djokovic rallied to the first break for a slender 5-3 lead and Khachanov dropped the first set after a double-fault.
The 17-time grand slam champion created a 4-1 deficit en route to a two frame advantage and was handed another early break in the third.
Khachnaov folded again to trail 5-3 and Djokovic secured a record last eight appearance at Roland Garros with a forehand winner.
Tsitsipas’ meanwhile bagged a third consecutive victory in straight sets after surviving a five-set scare in the first round.
“It was a very good lesson for me, the first-round match,” Tsitsipas said.
“I think I was just more awakened on the court, more responsible for what I was doing. That is also the reason why I’ve been doing so well in the last nine sets that I’ve played.”
The Greek sprinted 4-1 in front before sealing the frame with an overwhelming serve.
The second set between the pair was much closer as they fought to a tiebreak.
Both players had two set points each but it was Tsitsipas who claimed a double advantage when Dimitrov missed a return trailing 10-9.
Dimitrov’s confidence dropped in the third set as the world No.6 Tsitsipas stretched 4-1 ahead and at 5-2, Dimitrov dumped a return into the net to concede defeat.