Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal both achieved personal landmarks on Sunday after reaching the quarter-finals of the French Open.
Federer reached the Roland Garros quarters for the 12th time, becoming the oldest man in 28 years to make the last eight of a grand slam tournament. Meanwhile, defending champion Nadal racked up his 90th win at the venue.
Federer, 37, eased past Argentina's Leonardo Mayer 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 and will face close friend and Swiss compatriot Stan Wawrinka for a semi-final spot.
Former champion Wawrinka downed Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas in the longest match of this year's French Open. He sealed a stunning 7-6, 5-7, 6-4, 3-6, 8-6 victory with a magnificent winner from yards behind the baseline after five hours and nine minutes on Court Suzanne Lenglen.
"It's fabulous that I can spend this time in Paris," said Federer who last played the tournament in 2015 when he made the quarter-finals - where he lost to Wawrinka - although he has a 23-3 winning head-to-head record against him.
First man through to the Roland-Garros quarter-finals, @rogerfederer.
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 2, 2019
The Swiss takes out Leonardo Mayer 6-2 6-3 6-3.
🎾 https://t.co/gh9IvYcee5#RG19 pic.twitter.com/bQ4MitypgW
"I was prepared for the worst scenario, losing in the first round in three sets. But I am super happy with my performance. I will need to play like this again."
Federer will be playing in his 54th quarter-final at a major, cementing his place on top of the all-time men's list.
Despite leading Wawrinka 23-3 in career head-to-head meetings, Federer said he still remembers his quarter-final loss to his friend in Paris four years ago.
"I have a bad memory of it. Stan beat me in three sets with his terrible shorts! But he played really great that year and won the title."
Federer, the 2009 champion in Paris, is the oldest man to make the quarter-finals of a major since Jimmy Connors at the 1991 US Open. He did not face a break point in the fourth round match against the outclassed world No 68 played in a sweltering 32 degrees on Court Philippe Chatrier.
Nadal, who is bidding for a 12th title at the tournament, swept past Argentine Juan Ignacio Londero 6-2, 6-3, 6-3.
In what will be his 38th grand slam quarter-final appearance, the Spaniard will face either Japan's Kei Nishikori or Benoit Paire of France for a semi-final place.
"I am very happy. Juan is a very good player so I congratulate him and his team," Nadal said. "It's an incredible feeling to be in another quarter-final at this tournament which has been the most special of my career."
The 32-year-old has only been defeated twice in his French Open career and the 78th-ranked Londero never looked like becoming the third man to achieve the feat.
Nadal has a 10-2 record over Nishikori while he has yet to lose to Paire in four matches.
