Rafael Nadal defends Centre Court billing ahead of Ashleigh Barty

That saw Barty shunted to the outpost on Two and Nadal was quizzed on it after his match by a journalist, who suggested that because the Australian was the world number one she might have been picked to play on Centre.

"I am the world two and I won 18 grand slams," Nadal retorted. "My answer is not no or yes. My answer is they make a decision.

"You are putting Ashleigh Barty in front of me. For me, both decisions are good.

"In the world of tennis today, honestly, my feeling is today I am little bit more than Ashleigh Barty, even if Ashleigh Barty is the first player of the world and she already won in the French Open and she is playing unbelievably good."

Novak Djokovic's title defence is still yet to come under serious threat as he eased into the last eight for the 11th time.

The world number one breezed past French rookie Ugo Humbert in straight sets, 6-3 6-2 6-3, on Court One to set up a meeting with David Goffin in the quarter-final.

It is the 45th time he has reached this stage of a grand slam – only Roger Federer has achieved more – and few would back against him claiming a fourth SW19 crown on Sunday.

David Goffin has always believed he has had the game to be a success at Wimbledon after posting his best-ever run at the All England Club.

The Belgian won 7-6 (9) 2-6 6-3 6-4 against Fernando Verdasco to set up a meeting with Djokovic in the next round.

"I'd say it's an amazing feeling, especially here," he said. "I knew that it's my favourite tournament, and I knew that I had the game to play well on grass.

"To reach the quarter-finals for the first time, it means a lot, and especially from a few months I had with tough moments on the court, tough moments off the court.

"And now, to be back with my best tennis, especially here, it's the perfect place and the perfect moment."

Roberto Bautista Agut is also enjoying his best performance thanks to a brisk straight-sets victory over Benoit Paire.

The Spaniard ousted the erratic Frenchman, who later said he was playing with an abdominal tear, 6-3 7-5 6-2.

Sam Querrey is back in the last eight of Wimbledon after a four-set victory against his compatriot Tennys Sandgren.

Querrey, who reached the semi-final in 2017, won 6-4 6-7 (7) 7-6 (3) 7-6 (5).

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