NINE-TIME champion Rafael Nadal surged into the French Open quarterfinals for a record-equaling 11th time Sunday, while reigning women’s title-holder Garbine Muguruza crashed out in the last 16.

Nadal continued his ruthless form at Roland Garros by dispatching Spanish 17th seed Roberto Bautista Agut 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 to match Roger Federer’s mark of last-eight appearances in Paris.

The 14-time major winner is yet to drop a set, conceding just six games in the last two rounds as he strives to become the first man to win 10 titles at a single Grand Slam.

“I’m happy because Roberto is a very good player. It’s very important for me to be in the quarterfinals one more time,” said Nadal. “Probably I didn’t play as well as I did the other day, but I still played well.”

The 31-year-old Nadal is chasing his 15th Grand Slam title and first since 2014 — when he won at Roland Garros.

After losing the Australian Open final to Federer in a five-set thriller Nadal has been in fine form on clay, winning titles at Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Madrid.

The only player to have beaten Nadal on clay this season is Austrian Dominic Thiem — who was playing Argentine Horacio Zeballos later.

Nadal, the 4th seed, will meet compatriot Pablo Carreno Busta, through to his first Grand Slam quarterfinal, for a spot in the last four after the latter stunned Canada’s Milos Raonic.

Carreno Busta, seeded 20th, needed seven match points to clinch a thrilling 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-7 (6), 6-4, 8-6 win over the 5th-seeded Raonic in 4 hours and 17 minutes.

Two weeks past his 21st birthday, Karen Khachanov became the youngest man to reach the fourth round in Paris since 2009, beating 21st-seeded John Isner of the United States 7-6 (1), 6-3, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (3).

Kristina Mladenovic ensured France will have a woman in the quarterfinals for the first time since 1994 after dumping out 4th seed Muguruza 6-1, 3-6, 6-3.

(SD-Agencies)