Defending champion Iga Swiatek set up a rematch of last year’s French Open final against Coco Gauff by moving into the Roland Garros last eight.
Swiatek, going for a third title on the Paris clay, progressed when Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko retired ill as the Polish player led 5-1 in the first set. Sixth seed Gauff, 19, beat Slovakia’s Anna Karolina Schmiedlova 7-5 6-2.Gauff has yet to win a set in six matches against Swiatek.
“Honestly, since last year I have been wanting to play her, especially at this tournament,” said the American.
“I’m the type of mentality, if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. I think also, if you want to improve, you have to play the best.
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“I feel like, the way my career has gone so far, if I see a level, and if I’m not quite there at that level, I know I have to improve. I think it would be almost cowardly to say that I want to not face the noise and not face the challenge, but I think that I’m up for it.
“I have improved a lot since last year, and she has too. I think it would be a great battle for us and for the fans, too.”
Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur moved into the quarter-finals for the first time with a 6-3 6-1 win over Bernarda Pera.
Jabeur played in the Wimbledon and US Open finals in 2022 but lost in the first round at Roland Garros last year.
Seventh seed Jabeur, 28, will meet Brazilian 14th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia in the last eight after she eliminated Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo.