Rafael Nadal prepared for his Roland Garros return practicing with David Goffin and came away from that session with conviction.

The King of Clay believes it's only a matter of time before the 13th-ranked Belgian cracks the Top 10.

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"He's a great player. He's doing a great season," Nadal said of Goffin. "He is one of the candidates to be in the end of the season in top 10, without a doubt.

"Going to be an important next three months I think for everybody, for him, too, because he has an opportunity to be in a very high position of the rankings."

Informed of Nadal's praise, Goffin said "it's always good to have compliments from Rafa. He said I would go up in the rankings, but there aren't that many positions left, are there? We'll try. Little by little. One at a time."

Four years after Goffin qualified for the main draw and reached the Roland Garros fourth round before bowing to Roger Federer, he is within striking distance of the round of 16 again.

Goffin faces Spanish strongman Nicolas Almagro next with the winner advancing to a fourth-round clash with either sixth-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or 2014 semifinalist Ernests Gulbis.

Photo credit: Christopher Levy