Djokovic finally through to last eight

Novak Djokovic overcame the spirited resistance of Roberto Bautista Agut on Wednesday to book his place in the quarter-finals of the French Open.

Bautista Agut claimed the first set on Tuesday prior to a rain delay, only for Djokovic to level the match and open up a 4-1 advantage in set three before further showers forced the match - which had initially been scheduled for Monday - into a second day.

The world number one broke at the first time of asking when play resumed on Court Philippe Chatrier, courtesy of a stunning cross-court forehand winner, and held serve in the next game to move two sets to one up.

Yet Djokovic did not have things all his own way as he completed a 3-6 6-4 6-1 7-5 triumph, with the athletic Bautista Agut briefly claiming a two-game lead in set four.

Having played two fantastic points under pressure to deny Djokovic a break, Bautista Agut opened up a 4-2 advantage when the Serbian followed a missed overhead by sending a backhand long.

However, the underdog faltered in the next game and Djokovic, who utilised the drop shot on a regular basis, soon claimed a second break.

Bautista Agut again showed his quality and character by saving a match point at the end of a lengthy rally, but the top seed was not to be denied and will now face either David Ferrer or Tomas Berdych in his 28th successive grand slam quarter-final.

STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN

Djokovic (1) bt Bautista Agut (14) 3-6 6-4 6-1 7-5

WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS

Djokovic - 45/54

Bautista Agut - 31/49

ACES

Djokovic - 2

Bautista Agut - 1

BREAK POINTS WON

Djokovic - 9/22

Bautista Agut - 6/11

FIRST SERVE PERCENTAGE

Djokovic - 71

Bautista Agut - 72

PERCENTAGE POINTS WON ON FIRST/SECOND SERVE

Djokovic - 65/50

Bautista Agut - 54/43

TOTAL POINTS

Djokovic - 140

Bautista Agut - 118