Fernando Gonzalez defeated Robby Ginepri 7-6 6-3 6-1 to book a quarter-final date with Roger Federer in Paris.
Chilean defeats final American to reach last eight at Roland Garros.
Fernando Gonzalez defeated Robby Ginepri 7-6 6-3 6-1 to book a quarter-final date with world number one Roger Federer, after he defeated home hope Julien Benneteau.
Chilean star Gonzalez matched his best ever result at Roland Garros as he made the last eight for the second time, following his quarter-final defeat to 2003 champion Juan Carlos Ferrero.
Federer was not at his best but still had enough to thwart Benneteau's stubborn challenge to stay on course to break his French Open duck.
The Swiss star will again go up against Rafael Nadal should everything go to plan, but first up he must befeat Gonzalez, who is unbeaten on clay so far this year.
Fernando on fire
Ginepri had made a surprising run to the fourth round in Paris- becoming the first American to do so since Andre Agassi five years ago.
After suffering an early break, Ginepri fought back with three games in a row forcing a tie-break, only for Gonzalez to muscle his way to the opening set by taking it 7-4.
The second set was comfortable for Gonzalez, who managed to win three straight breaks of serve with his trademark jackhammer forehand to take it 6-3.
Ginepri's head went down after an early break in the third set and Gonzalez pounced to reach the quarter-final of a Grand Slam again after his run to the final of the 2007 Australian Open.
Gonzalez, who is now 16-0 on clay this year, will now face his toughest test as he will go on to face Federer in the last eight.
Fed next up
The top seed at Roland Garros did not reach his usual lofty standards during his rain-affected match with Benneteau, but he had enough to rub out the Frenchman's challenge 6-4 7-5 7-5.
The Frenchman showed great determination throughout the match to keep Federer on his toes, breaking the world's best player twice when he was serving for the first two sets.
Federer also fluffed two match points as Benneteau tried his best to hang on in the match, but he could not save a third and Federer closed out the game to go through.
The match was played in almost heavy rain at times just before the break, but Federer managed to cope with the conditions the better to end the contest in two hours and 26 minutes.
It means a fourth consecutive quarter-final in Paris for Federer, and incredibly a 16th straight appearance in the last eight of a Grand Slam.
"It was unfortunate I couldn't serve it out the way I wanted to in the first and second set, but I felt okay out there," said Federer.
"I thought I played an okay match. He was playing well, at times very well, and that put me under pressure. I also had to raise my game."
