Paris: French Davis Cup captain Yannick Noah hailed Richard Gasquet's progress to the Roland Garros quarter-finals as the 29-year-old tries to become the country's first male Grand Slam singles champion since 1983. Noah's triumph at the French Open 33 years ago remains the last time a Frenchman won a major, but Gasquet's performances in Paris this year have generated reason for optimism.

The world number 12 dispatched Japanese fifth seed Kei Nishikori in four sets to make the last eight at Roland Garros for the first time in 13 attempts. "Aside from the result, I loved the match Richard played (on Sunday), he played very a good match like I'd dreamed of seeing him play," said Noah. "Richard has been playing better and better the last month and a half, he had a difficult start to the season because of injury.