World number two Andy Murray and defending champion Stan Wawrinka edged closer to a French Open semi-final duel when they reached the last-eight on Sunday. Murray made the quarter-finals for the sixth time with a 7-6 (11/9), 6-4, 6-3 win over John Isner of the United States.
The 29-year-old, a three-time semi-finalist, will face either Japan's Kei Nishikori or Richard Gasquet, the last French player standing, in the last-eight.
Wawrinka, the third seed, saw off Serbia's Viktor Troicki 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (7/9), 6-3, 6-2 for his 11th straight win in the year's second Grand Slam.
He will next face a Spanish left-hander who isn't named Rafael Nadal after unheralded Albert Ramos-Vinolas reached his first Grand Slam last-eight with a 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 defeat of Canadian eighth seed Milos Raonic. Murray will be playing in his 20th quarter-final at the last 21 majors after braving an Isner storm in the first set where he faced down three set points in the tie-breaker.
"It was a very important tie-break to win. I got lucky on his first set point when I guessed right on a short forehand," said the Scot.
Isner was bidding to become the first American man in the last-eight in Paris since Andre Agassi in 2003.
Having not allowed Murray a single break point, the 31-year-old squandered the three set points before the British star pounced to pocket the opener.
Rain forced the pair off Suzanne Lenglen court for an hour with Murray 2-1 ahead in the second set before Isner was broken for the first time in the 10th game.
Murray broke for 3-1 in the third before Isner clung on saving two more break points in the sixth game.
But the world number two wrapped up victory - and his sixth win in six clashes with the big American - with his ninth ace of the tie.
Isner, meanwhile, was undone by Murray's superior returning which contributed to his 57 unforced errors.
Wawrinka continued his dominance over Troicki with a fifth win in five meetings as the Serb's challenge fizzled out following a right thigh injury at 4-1 down in the third set.
"It was far from easy with tough conditions - heavy and cold, but I am happy to have come through it," 31-year-old Wawrinka said.