PARIS (AFP) — Serbian third seed Novak Djokovic reached the French Open quarter-finals for the third successive year on Sunday and will now face childhood training rival Ernests Gulbis for a place in the semi-finals.

Djokovic, the Australian Open champion saw off French 18th seed Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.

Gulbis, the youngest player left in the tournament at 19, ended the hopes of another Frenchman Michael Llodra 6-4, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 to reach his first ever Grand Slam quarter-final.

"I served really well today and in the three previous matches here," said 21-year-old Djokovic whose big service constantly helped him escape trouble.

"It's very encouraging for the rest of the tournament and for the future because I want to have it as a weapon."

Djokovic, who is steadily closing in on Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal's number two ranking, broke Mathieu in the fifth game of the first set and then survived three break points in the 10th game to take the opener.

The world number three was ahead with a break at 3-2 but Mathieu, encouraged by a 15,000 crowd, hit back only to surrender the advantage immediately to trail 4-3.

Mathieu, coached by former triple champion Mats Wilander, squandered four more break points in the eighth game and was broken again in the ninth to hand Djokovic a two-set lead.

The Serb wrapped up victory when Mathieu buried another running forehand into the net in the 10th game of the third set.

Gulbis, who trained with Djokovic when they were youngsters at the Munich academy owned by former Germany and Croatia Davis Cup captain Niki Pilic, would not have started as favourite on Sunday having lost both his previous matches to the left-handed Llodra, his senior by nine years.

"Michael is a tough opponent because he plays a strange kind of tennis. He serves and volleys and it's tough to break him," said Gulbis.

"I knew I had to attack and try to play to his legs otherwise he would just volley it back. I also knew that I had to come forward and not stay two metres behind the baseline."

Gulbis admitted that he is surprised as by his progress in Paris but was happy to see his decision to skip the Rome and Hamburg Masters, in favour of practice, pay dividends.

"Going into Roland Garros, I didn't think the French Open would be where I'd have my best Grand Slam result," he said.

"But I practiced well for three weeks and worked on my physical condition and I changed some tactics."

Later Sunday, triple champion Rafael Nadal attempts to reach the quarter-finals when he faces Spanish compatriot and fellow left-hander Fernando Verdasco.

The winner will face either French wildcard Jeremy Chardy or Spain's Nicolas Almagro for a place in the semi-finals.

Courtesy: AFP