Guillermo Coria beat 1998 champion Carlos Moya in straight sets to firmly install himself as the favourite for the French Open title. After Coria, Moya was the next highest seed left in the draw and was expected to give the Argentine a stern test.
But the fifth seed was unable to take his chances, failing to close out when serving for both of the first two sets.
Coria made no mistake on his own opportunities and clinically completed a 7-5 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 victory.
He will now play Tim Henman in the semi-finals after the ninth seed beat Juan Ignacio Chela in Tuesday's other men's quarter-final. Coria reached the semi-finals last year and said he was only thinking about winning the title this year.
"I am very happy to win in three sets a match that was very difficult - but my objective is to win on Sunday," he said.
Moya, the 1998 champion, was left to rue missed opportunities.
"Coria is a great player who always seems to know where the ball is going but I had chances," said Moya.
"I didn't play the important points very well.
"The conditions also didn't help. I wanted a dry sunny day but got the opposite with a heavy ball.
"It's just very frustrating. I felt in control of the match in the first set but he just kept getting the ball back."
MMIX
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