Novak Djokovic against Rafael Nadal – the duel of the permanent rivals is perfect: The world number one from Serbia and the Spanish Grand Slam record champion meet in the quarterfinals of the French Open.
Djokovic easily defeated Diego Schwartzman 6: 1, 6: 3, 6: 3 in the round of 16. It was his seventh win in seven matches against the Argentine.
Nadal followed with much more effort. He prevailed against Canadian Félix Auger-Aliassime, who is coached by his uncle and longtime coach Toni Nadal, 3: 6, 6: 3, 6: 2, 3: 6, 6: 3.
Toni Nadal, for whom it was the first meeting between his protégé and his nephew, did not follow the game from the box, he chose a neutral place.
It is the 16th quarter-finals in Roland Garros for both Djokovic and Nadal. Last year Djokovic defeated his long-time opponent and Paris record winner Nadal (13 titles) in the semifinals on the way to the title and prevented his fifth triumph on the Seine in a row.
Djokovic is aiming for his 21st major title in the French capital, with which he would catch up with Nadal. The Spaniard took advantage of Djokovic’s absence from the Australian Open and became the sole record holder in Melbourne.