So, it’ll be Nadal v Djokovic in the quarter-finals, as the world No1 sees off Richard Gasquet in straight sets.
That will unquestionably be a sterner test of Rafa’s title credentials, but after romping through the first two sets against an opponent who offered only flashes of his ability, Nadal was stunned by Jack Sock’s third set fightback, dropping a first set of the tournament as Sock roared back from 5-3 down to take it 7-5.
The American, in his first Grand Slam fourth round game, showed plenty of potential, particularly when deploying his renowned forehand, but unforced errors and Nadal’s determination kept him from ever truly threatening an upset.