PARIS, June 4, 2018

Juan Martín Del Potro has advanced to his first quarterfinal at Roland Garros since 2012. The Argentinian former US Open champion edged past John Isner 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in Monday’s third match on Court Suzanne Lenglen.

Del Potro broke the US-American’s destructive serve in each set to seal victory in just under two hours of play.

“Delpo certainly has one of the best forehands in the world, especially when he’s feeling it out there. And if he’s able to get in position and take a rip at that shot, it’s going to be very lethal. So it’s very good for tennis to have him playing well again and being healthy,” Isner said.

Del Potro reaches the stage of the final eight for the third time in Paris. Guillermo Vilas, who reached nine quarterfinals here, is the only Argentinian in the Open Era to have reached the quarterfinals of the men’s singles here more often.

“It’s amazing to be in the quarterfinals and I would like to stay a few more days here in Paris,” Del Potro told.

The “Tower of Tandil” will next take on Marin Cilic, who battled past Italy’s Fabio Fognini 6-4, 6-1, 3-6, 6-7, 6-3. The No. 3 seed from Croatia fired eight aces and hit 44 winners to prevail in three hours and 37 minutes. Cilic improves to 28-13 in career five-set matches.

Del Potro holds a 10-2 in head-to-head record, winning last seven meetings with Cilic, including all four matches on clay.

Muguruza completes women’s quarterfinals line-up

2016 French Open champion Garbiñe Muguruza completed the last eight line-up in the women’s draw when 29-year-old Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko was forced to retire due to injury. The Spaniard was leading 2-0 after 20 minutes.

Next up for Muguruza will be two-time Roland Garros champion Maria Sharapova. The Russian leads their head-to-head record 3-0.

“She’s very solid and aggressive. I’m going to try and play my best tennis, and I think that we both have the same type of aggressive game. So what I have to do is be on top of things and start first,” Muguruza commented.

The Women’s QFs are set:
Simona Halep vs Angelique Kerber
Garbine Muguruza vs Maria Sharapova
Yulia Putintseva vs Madison Keys
Sloane Stephens vs Daria Kasatkina

Predictions?#RG18 pic.twitter.com/DxeHuTKLOO

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) 4. Juni 2018

Noteworthy

A day after turning 32, Rafael Nadal is the newest member of the Open Era “900 Wins Club”, joining Jimmy Connors (1,256), Roger Federer (1,149), Ivan Lendl (1,068) and Guillermo Vilas (949).

#Nadal is 3rd all-time in most #GrandSlam match wins (W-L):
1) @RogerFederer 332-52
2) @NovakDjokovic 244-40
3) @RafaelNadal 234-34
4) @JimmyConnors 233-49
5) @AndreAgassi 224-53

— ATP Media Info (@ATPMediaInfo) 4. Juni 2018