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Roger Federer set up a French Open semi-final against defending champion Rafael Nadal by overcoming fellow Swiss Stan Wawrinka in four sets.
Shortly before Federer won, Nadal completed a 6-1 6-1 6-3 win over Kei Nishikori in the last eight.
But 20-time Grand Slam champion Federer endured an energy-sapping three hours and 17 minutes on Court Suzanne Lenglen to win 7-6 (7-4) 4-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-4.
“We played a great match today,” said Federer, 37.
Nishikori, the seventh seed, came into the match in an ideal circumstances as had to survive a marathon clash with Benoit Paire in the Last 16 on Sunday.
The 29-year-old looked completely shattered and facing Nadal on clay was about as bad as it could have been.
The Spaniard showed no mercy and ruthlessly dismantled his opponent in the opening two sets to put himself in a commanding position.
Nishikori valiantly battled on despite clearly struggling with a shoulder injury but he was unable to prevent a whitewash as Nadal continues his imperious run in this year’s competition.
Nadal’s march to victory was temporarily suspended due to poor weather but he quickly picked up where he left off when they resumed, wrapping up victory in no time.
Nadal now faces a blockbuster clash with Roger Federer in the semi-finals, with his old face defeating compatriot Stan Wawrinka.
