Nadal and Djokovic remain on collision course for French Open quarter-finals

Rafael Nadal continued to build momentum at the French Open as he moved into the fourth round by easing past Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. With his victory, Nadal has set up a particularly curious second-week encounter against Félix Auger-Aliassime, the ninth seed, who coolly navigated three tight sets to beat Filip Krajinovic 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2), 7-5.

The match-up is notable because Auger-Aliassime has spent the past year working with Nadal’s uncle, Toni, who was the Spaniard’s primary coach from his childhood until 2017, and played a defining role in so much of his success. Toni Nadal remains the director of the Rafa Nadal Academy in Manacor, meaning he is essentially employed by both players.

He has said that he will sit out the match rather than provide Auger-Aliassime with advice to defeat his nephew.

“If we have to play with Rafa, I will not be on either of the two benches out of respect for both players and because I’m still the director of the Academy, I’m still working for him and I’m Rafael’s uncle,” said Toni Nadal, according to Marca.

“I have a special affection, as is normal, for my nephew. But if he has to lose with someone, let it be with Félix. I don’t stop being Rafael’s uncle, I have been associated with him for many years. Hopefully in the future Félix will be number one in the world. For now, he has to improve.”

Auger-Aliassime’s press conference was naturally dominated by questions about Toni Nadal’s decision to recuse himself from the match, which the Canadian shrugged off by pointing out that Nadal’s career is greater than this one encounter.

“I don’t know how Toni feels,” he said. “Maybe we should ask him, but he hasn’t talked to me about it. But I think also you have to remember, because I