World number one Novak Djokovic to face Rafael Nadal in the 2022 Roland Garros quarter-finals on Monday afternoon.
While Nadal overcame a sluggish start and a stiff challenge from ninth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime with an enthralling 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 win on Sunday.
Djokovic reached the Roland Garros quarter-finals for 13th time after defeating Diego Schwartzman 6-1, 6-3, 6-3 on the same day.
The Serbian tennis icon is yet to lose a set after his first four Roland Garros matches. Djokovic saved seven break-points in the match against Schwartzman, before closing the match that lasted 2 hours and 17 minutes.
Djokovic seventh straight win over Schwartzman, who dragged him into the fifth set at the 2017 Roland Garros.
Schwartzman led 3-0 but lost 3-6 in the second set. The Argentine tennis player could not find a solution for the deep ball to the two corners, then dropped or overflowed Djokovic’s finish.
Djokovic’s limit serving ability made it difficult for Schwartzman to keep the game. He only won on first serve 56% and second serve 32%. Schwartzman face 11 break-points all game and saved only five times.
“It will be a difficult match for me. Any opponent is sure to cause an intense fight.” Djokovic said.
“I have started well in this year’s tournament, but there is more work to do. If I can play. Better than today, I’ll have a chance in the quarter-finals.” he added.
Djokovic has been at least in the Roland Garros quarter-finals since 2010, reaching the final six times and winning two championships.
Nadal, meanwhile, said facing Djokovic for the 10th time at Roland Garros will be “a great battle” against his biggest ever rival.
“Well, we know each other well, we have a lot of history together. Here we are, we are at Roland Garros, it’s my favourite place. The only thing I can guarantee is that I will fight until the end.” Nadal said.
