Five-time champion Rafael Nadal reached the French Open last eight on Monday as title rival Novak Djokovic enjoyed a major psychological boost when he was handed a free pass into the semi-finals. Top seed Nadal enjoyed a 7-5, 6-3, 6-3 win over Croatian veteran Ivan Ljubicic and could next face Roland Garros bogeyman Robin Soderling, the only player to have beaten the great Spaniard in Paris in 43 matches.
Djokovic, meanwhile, was excused quarter-final duty when scheduled opponent Fabio Fognini of Italy withdrew with a torn left thigh muscle. Nadal, bidding for a sixth French Open title to take him level with Bjorn Borg, has looked a shadow of his usual self in Paris, shaken by the super-charged form of Djokovic, who could take his title and number one spot before the week is out. "There was a lot of wind today, which made it very awkward," said Nadal.
"I played better in the last two sets and I am getting a little better as the tournament goes on." On Monday, he was a break to the good to lead 2-1 in the opening set before Ljubucic, a 2006 semi-finalist, hit back for 3-3. Nadal stepped up the pressure on the Croatian's serve, however, and snatched the set when Ljubicic sent his single-handed backhand wide.
Two breaks in the seventh and ninth games of the second set helped Nadal stretch his lead, the set secured with a smart, down-the-line whipped forehand. A break for 3-1 in the third set seemed to be the foundation that the 24-year-old required, but Ljubicic, at 32 the oldest man left in the draw, hit back for 2-3.
French ninth seed Gael Monfils, a 2008 semi-finalist, set-up a last eight clash with third seed Roger Federer after defeating Spain's David Ferrer, the seventh seed, 6-4, 2-6, 7-5, 1-6, 8-6. Monfils had led by two sets to one when the tie was suspended on Sunday night and despite squandering three match points in the ninth and 11th games of the decider on Monday, the 24-year-old eventually held his nerve.
Argentina's Juan Ignacio Chela shattered Alejandro Falla's dreams of becoming the first Colombian man to reach a Grand Slam quarter-final with a 4-6, 6-2, 1-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 win. He will face either British fourth seed Andy Murray, who is carrying an ankle injury, or Serbia's Victor Troicki for a place in the semi-finals.
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