Defending French Open champion Novak Djokovic completed a comeback of colossal proportions to reach the quarter-finals with an exhilarating five-set win over Francisco Cerundolo.
The Serbian was noticeably struggling with a knee problem - requiring the trainer at various points in the match - and his title defence was seemingly in tatters at two sets and a break down.
However, in true world number one fashion, Djokovic somehow snatched a historic victory from the jaws of defeat, triumphing 6-1 5-7 3-6 7-5 6-3 in four hours and 39 minutes.
The 24-time major winner returned to Philippe-Chatrier on Monday after his marathon match with Lorenzo Musetti concluded at 3.07am on Sunday morning - the latest finish in the history of the tournament - but more desirable records were sent tumbling this time around.
Djokovic now has an extraordinary 370 Grand Slam match victories to his name, overtaking Roger Federer's 369 for the most of any player in the Open Era, while he has also surpassed the Swiss' previous high of 58 major quarter-finals by reaching the last eight for the 59th time.
The 37-year-old fought back from the brink of elimination despite being physically hampered since the second set, and a repeat of last year's final with Norway's Casper Ruud now awaits.
Djokovic prevails as Daniil Medvedev falls
The 2023 runner-up will earn a shot at revenge against Djokovic thanks to a 7-6[6] 3-6 6-4 6-2 triumph over the USA's Taylor Fritz, but there was a notable upset on Court Suzanne Lenglen.
Fifth seed Daniil Medvedev was the highest-ranked player to fall, as despite taking the first set against Australia's Alex de Minaur, he was bested 6-4 2-6 1-6 3-6 as De Minaur reached the last eight of Roland-Garros for the first time.
Meanwhile, the fourth-round ties were also concluded in the women's singles event, where Aryna Sabalenka, Mirra Andreeva and Elena Rybakina all strolled into the quarter-finals on the clay.
Rybakina barely had to get out of second gear to sink Emma Navarro 6-2 6-3, while Rybakina was a convincing 6-4 6-3 victor in her battle with Ukrainian 15th seed Elina Svitolina.
Seventeen-year-old Russian phenom Andreeva overcame Varvara Gracheva - the last remaining French hope - 7-5 6-2, while Jasmine Paolini fought back from a set down to defeat Elina Avanesyan 4-6 6-0 6-1.
Ben Knapton
