Roger Federer reached the Roland Garros quarterfinals for the 12th time on Sunday, becoming the oldest man in 28 years to make the last-eight of a Slam.
The 37-year-old eased past Argentina’s Leonardo Mayer 6-2, 6-3, 6-3.
“It’s fabulous that I can spend this time in Paris,” said Federer who last played the tournament in 2015 when he made the quarterfinals – where he lost to Wawrinka.
The Greek star, meanwhile, defeated Federer in the last 16 of the Australian Open in January.
“I was prepared for the worst scenario, losing in the first round in three sets. But I am super happy with my performance.
Federer will be playing in his 54th quarterfinal at a Slam, cementing his place on top of the all-time men’s list.
Federer, the 2009 champion in Paris, is the oldest man to make the quarterfinals of a Slam since Jimmy Connors at the 1991 US Open.
Federer didn’t face a break point in the fourth round match against the outclassed world number 68 played in a sweltering 32 degrees on Court Philippe Chatrier.
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Nadal, bidding for a 12th title at the tournament, swept past Argentina’s Juan Ignacio Londero 6-2, 6-3, 6-3.
In what will be his 38th Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance, the 32-year-old Spaniard will face either Japan’s Kei Nishikori or Benoit Paire of France for a semifinal place.
Nadal has only been defeated twice in his French Open career and the 78th-ranked Londero never looked like becoming the third.
Former champion Stanislas Wawrinka downed Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas in the longest match of this year’s French Open to set up a quarterfinal clash with Federer.
He has a 23-3 losing head-to-head record against close friend and fellow Swiss Federer.
