Resurgent former champion Novak Djokovic moved ominously into the French Open quarter-finals for the 12th time on Sunday as he subdued feisty Spanish veteran Fernando Verdasco 6-3 6-4 6-2.
The Serb, seeded 20th after a well-documented form slump, was given a ferocious fight in the early stages with the opening three games lasting 29 minutes on Court Philippe Chatrier.
But what looked like being a long evening for the 12-times Grand Slam champion ended up being a reasonably comfortable one as he kept Verdasco at arm's length.
One break of serve was enough to take the opening set and although left-hander Verdasco produced thunderous winners to stay in touch in the second his challenge soon faded.
After arriving in Paris with his lowest seeding since 2006 and his expectations not much higher, the former world number one appears to be rediscovering his mojo at the right time.
The draw has fallen in his favour with Verdasco having removed fourth seed Grigor Dimitrov and he had another slice of fortune on Sunday when eighth seed David Goffin was beaten by unheralded Italian Marco Cecchinato.
Cecchinato will hold few fears for Djokovic who moved up a gear against Verdasco - a dangerous opponent who has three claycourt victories over the Serb.
Second seed Alexander Zverev came through another five-setter to book his place in the quarter-finals.
The 21-year-old German, seen as one of the few obstacles to Rafael Nadal claiming an 11th Roland Garros title, was 2-1 down in sets for the third straight match, this time against Karen Khachanov.
But Zverev fended off break points as he levelled in the fourth, and then struck with an early break in the decider.
Khachanov, the 6ft 6in Russian ranked 38 in the world, this time had no answer as Zverev took the match 4-6 7-6 (7/4) 2-6 6-3 6-3.
Despite his lofty seeding this is the first time Zverev has reached the last eight of a grand slam.
He has now played 18 sets to Nadal's nine, with the Spaniard facing unseeded German Max Marterer on Monday in his fourth-round tie.
