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Day 9 Roundup: Djokovic sets up Nadal quarter, Sharapova crashes out at Roland Garros

Xinhua, June 2, 2015 Adjust font size:

A highly expected quarterfinal encounter between world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and defending champion Rafael Nadal has been fixed as both elites claimed routine victories in Monday's fourth round at Roland Garros.

Djokovic breezed past 20th-seeded local favorite Richard Gasquet 6-1, 6-2, 6-3, while the nine-times French Open winner Nadal, seeded just the sixth this year, denied a late comeback from Jack Sock of the United States to win 6-3, 6-1, 5-7, 6-2.

Roger Federer also booked a place in the last eight, completing his match against 13th-seeded Frenchman Gael Monfils, 6-3, 4-6, 6- 4, 6-1 after fading light halted their match Sunday night with one set apiece.

The 17-times major winner will next play fellow Swiss Stan Wawrinka, the eighth seed and former Australian Open champion.

Other men's singles quarterfinal matchups pit Spaniard David Ferrer and Scotsman Andy Murray, who ousted France's Jeremy Chardy in four sets, as well as Japan's Kei Nishikori and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France.

The women's draw, however, saw a big name exit as No. 2 seed Maria Sharapova's title defending campaign has been snapped after losing in straight sets to Lucie Safarova.

Beaten 7-6 (3), 6-4 in the fourth round, Sharapova granted the 13th-seeded Czech her very first quarterfinal berth at the French Open.

It will be the first time since 2011 that the Grand Slam final on red clay won't feature the 28-year-old Russian, who's the champion in 2012 and 2014 and runner-up to Serena Williams in 2013.

"I think I did the best I could. Today it wasn't enough, because my opponent had a different gear than I did," the four- times Grand Slam winner told a post-match press conference.

Safarova, who's just two and a half months elder than Sharapova, raced to a 6-1 lead in the first-set tiebreaker before winning it 7-3, and broke in the second game of the second set when Sarapova double-faulted on break point.

The second-ranked Russian broke back in the fifth game when Safarova also double-faulted on break point.

Both of the duo held serve to the 10th game before Sharapova saved the first match point but failed to force another mistake from the world No. 13 Czech who wrapped up a surprising victory.

Safarova faces Spaniard Garbine Muguruza after the latter won in straight sets over Italian Flavia Pennetta.

Later on Court Philippe Chatrier, top-rated Serena Williams came back from one set down to beat American compatriot Sloane Stephens 1-6, 7-5, 6-3.

The No. 1 seed will see Sara Errani in the quarterfinals after the 17th-seeded Italian eased past Julia Goerges of Germany, 6-2, 6-2.

Zheng Jie, the sole Chinese surviving in this year's French Open, stayed on course in the mixed doubles as the former Olympic doubles winner paired up with Fin Henri Kontinen saw off Chan Yung- Jan and John Peers 6-4, 6-4 to make the semifinals. Endite