Novak Djokovic strengthened his claims as a French Open contender by reaching the quarter-finals with a straight-set victory over Spain’s Fernando Verdasco.
Djokovic, seeded 20th, won 6-3 6-4 6-2 against 30th seed Verdasco.
The 31-year-old Serb has reached the last eight at Roland Garros for a 12th time – an Open era record.
The 12-time Grand Slam champion will play Marco Cecchinato in the last eight after the Italian upset Belgian eighth seed David Goffin.
Djokovic, who won his only Roland Garros title in 2016 to complete a career Grand Slam, was not considered among the pre-tournament favourites following an injury-hit year.
The former world number one has dropped down the rankings to 22nd after taking time off with an elbow injury following last year’s Wimbledon. He also needed a minor operation after making a comeback at the Australian Open in January.
He would not face 10-time champion Rafael Nadal – a rematch of the 2012 and 2014 finals – until the final.
