Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic Set Sights On French Open Showdown

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will look to book a heavyweight French Open quarter-final clash Sunday, while Carlos Alcaraz hopes to extend his run after becoming the youngest man to make the last 16 since 2006. Record 13-time Roland Garros champion Nadal takes on Felix Auger-Aliassime, the Canadian ninth seed trained by Toni Nadal, the Spanish star's uncle and coach for the best part of three decades.

"For me, it's very simple," said Nadal.

"He is my uncle. He will not want me to lose. He wants the best for me and I want the best for him. But he's a professional and with another player now. It's zero problem."

Auger-Aliassime started working with Toni Nadal in April 2021, four years after Nadal and his uncle called time on their 27-year, trophy-laden association.

"We knew it was a possibility that eventually I would play Rafa when I'm working with Toni," said Auger-Aliassime, who made his first Grand Slam semi-final at the US Open in September.

"I think Toni will watch from a neutral place and enjoy the match. From my part it's another match.

"Rafa's career and what he did with Toni is much bigger than the match on Sunday."

Nadal's record at the French Open reads 108 wins against just three defeats.

He has reached at least the last eight in 15 of 17 visits to Paris. Nadal lost to Robin Soderling in the fourth round in 2009 and withdrew before the third round in 2016 with a wrist injury.

Another victory for Nadal would send him through to a quarter-final with Djokovic should the world number one and defending champion defeat Argentina's Diego Schwartzman in his last-16 clash.

Alcaraz follows in Djokovic footsteps

Djokovic has won all six previous meetings with Schwartzman, the 15th seed from Argentina, including a