French Open: Tommy Haas becomes oldest man to reach quarter-finals since Andre Agassi at the 2005 US Open

The 35-year-old German dropped just five games against Mikhail Youzhny

Germany's Tommy Haas hits a return to Russia's Mikhail Youzhny (GETTY IMAGES)

Tommy Haas became the oldest man to reach the singles quarter-finals at a grand slam since Andre Agassi at the 2005 US Open with a thrashing of Mikhail Youzhny at the French Open today.

The 35-year-old German needed 13 match points and was pushed to 10-8 in the fifth set in beating John Isner in the third round but today he dropped just five games in a 6-1 6-1 6-3 victory.

Haas, who was ranked second in the world in 2002, first played at Roland Garros 15 years ago but had never previously made the last eight.

The German's longevity may be partly due to a number of lengthy spells out with injury, most recently in 2011, when he briefly dropped off the rankings altogether.

Returning this time two years ago, Haas was 896th in the world. By last summer he had climbed almost back into the top 100 and had to qualify for the French Open.

Seeded 12th here, today's win will put him close to a return to the top 10 for the first time since 2007.

Youzhny upset eighth seed Janko Tipsarevic in the last round but could not get into the match today and took his frustration out on his racquet in spectacular fashion at 3-0 down in the second set.

The Russian, who once required medical treatment during a match after whacking his racquet against his own forehead, smashed the racquet nine times on the back of his chair.

Last year Youzhny wrote sorry in the clay after winning only four games against David Ferrer in a one-sided third-round contest.

PA