Del Potro returns to French Open quarterfinals

Juan Martin del Potro serenaded home fans with a chorus of “Allez Les Bleus” after reaching his first French Open quarterfinal in six years.

The Argentine won a big-serving battle with American John Isner 6-4 6-4 6-4, and then treated the Court Suzanne-Lenglen fans to a verse of the French football and rugby anthem.

“There was a lady singing all the time, like ‘USA’ and we are in France, and I know your song,” said Del Potro.

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“So that’s what I did. I have great relations with the French fans, so I’m excited to keep playing here because they are so kind with me.”

Del Potro missed the tournament for four years in a row from 2013 as he struggled with a succession of wrist injuries, and he is clearly relishing being back in the latter stages at Roland Garros.

In the quarterfinal he will face third seed Marin Cilic, who beat Italy’s Fabio Fognini 6-4 6-1 3-6 6-7(4) 6-3 in a gripping contest on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

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Del Potro has a 10-2 record against Cilic and has won their last seven matches.

“Being in the quarterfinals in a Grand Slam, in this particular Grand Slam, is very special, something I’m very happy about,” said the 2009 US Open champion.

Ten-time champion Rafael Nadal continues to power through the draw, with unseeded German Maximilian Marterer the latest opponent to be dispatched in straight sets.

Marterer gave Nadal his sternest test of the tournament to date, breaking serve first in the second and third sets, but each time Nadal recovered to come through 6-3 6-2 7-6(4).

It brought Nadal two new landmarks to add to his glittering resume – a 900th match win, and a 234th Grand Slam match win, overtaking Jimmy Connors for third in the all-time list.

The Spaniard has no plans to stop any time soon.

“I am enjoying the day by day on the tour and I hope to keep doing this for a while,’ said Nadal after celebrating his 32nd birthday on Sunday.

“I don’t feel myself old. But I am 32, and I am here around since 2003, so it’s a long way, a lot of years. But, no, I feel happy to be here.”

Nadal will next face 11th seed Diego Schwartzman, who made it two Argentines in the last eight for the first time in 13 years with a 1-6 2-6 7-5 7-6 (7-0) 6-2 win over South African sixth seed Kevin Anderson.

The 5ft 7in Schwartzman then explained how he overcame a 6ft 8in opponent.

“Did you read David and Goliath?” said the Argentine.

“That’s why. I read David and Goliath when I was young in the school, and I just try to think of that when I see Kevin or the guys who are two metres.”