Nadal sets sights on extending perfect record

PARIS, June 7 (Reuters) Champion Rafael Nadal aims to extend his Roland Garros record to 12-0 when he faces Serbian teenager Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals today.

While the Spaniard is still on course to become the first man since Gustavo Kuerten to win back-to-back titles at the French Open, fourth seed Ivan Ljubicic will be targeting a spot in his first grand slam semi-final when he faces French hope Julien Benneteau.

Should Nadal and Ljubicic both emerge victorious from their last-eight encounters, the claycourt grand slam will have all four top seeds through to the semi-finals for the first time since 1985. World number one Roger Federer has already set up a showdown with fourth seed David Nalbandian of Argentina.

Nadal will fancy his chances of chalking up a 58th consecutive win on clay against Djokovic, who at 19 is the youngest man left in the draw.

Croatian Davis Cup hero Ljubicic will have to contend with 15,000 partisan fans as well as his unseeded opponent on centre court but will be determined not to let the occasion get to him.

REUTERS AY HS1043