Novak Djokovic came through a
gruelling four-hour match against Spanish 13th seed Roberto Bautista
Agut to reach the last 16 at the French Open.
The Serb, 31, is seeded 20th as he searches for his best form following his return from an elbow injury.
"It was a great test. I had to earn my victory," said Djokovic.
"The last set was actually the best set that I have played so far in the tournament. I don't feel too exhausted. That's the good news."
He will play Spain's 30th seed Fernando Verdasco in the fourth round.
After a quarter-final defeat by Dominic Thiem last year, Djokovic returned to Roland Garros not expected to challenge for the title following a year disrupted by an injury which needed surgery after the Australian Open in January.
A lack of action since has resulted in him dropping to 22nd in the world rankings - below Bautista Agut.
But his greater pedigree eventually shone through in a physical encounter on Court Suzanne Lenglen.
The former world number one has now made the last 16 of a Grand Slam for the 43rd time, tying with Jimmy Connors on the all-time list.
Novak Djokovic's history with the French Open has been a varied one, having suffered three final defeats in 2012, 2014 and 2015 before eventually landing the prize in 2016 - finally sealing his career Grand Slam with victory over Andy Murray.
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