Rafael Nadal sets up French Open quarter-final against Novak Djokovic
Friday 5 June 2015 08:18, UK
Defending champion Rafael Nadal and world No 1 Novak Djokovic have set up a mouthwatering quarter-final clash at the French Open.
The Spaniard came through his toughest test at this year's tournament, dropping his first set against the spirited Jack Sock, but closed out a 6-3 6-1 5-7 6-2 victory.
With the win, Nadal paved the way for a meeting with Djokovic, who secured the thrilling Paris showdown after a dominant 6-1 6-2 6-3 win over Frenchman Richard Gasquet.
Sock had shown few signs that he could block Nadal's path while dropping the first two sets, but forced the sixth seed into a fourth set with gritty resistance.
Unleashing searing ground strokes, the Florida man briefly drew his opponent into a firefight, until Nadal bludgeoned him into submission with his own booming shots.
After a decent workout, the nine-time champion could discuss the prospect of putting his crown on the line against Djokovic at Roland Garros.
"He's the world No 1 and is having a great season," said Nadal. "It'll be a complicated 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.
Last week Djokovic said that Nadal's attempt to prevent umpire Carlos Bernardes from officiating his matches was unfair.
