World no. 2 Rafael Nadal is gunning his 7th French Open title at Roland Garros and making it alive by defeating Argentina’s Eduardo Schwank 6-1, 6-3, 6-4.
Second seed Nadal, who celebrates his 26th birthday on Sunday, cruised into the fourth round of the French Open.
The defending champion has yet to be seriously tested, as he dropped just five games in the first round and four in the second before Saturday’s methodical triumph.
Nadal was rarely in trouble as he recorded a 48th career victory at Roland Garros, a venue where he has only ever suffered one defeat.
His forehand was far too good for Schwank, particularly in the first set, but the Argentine did make a contest of it in the second and third.
The Spaniard will face a sterner test in the fourth round against Argentine in Juan Monaco, who came through in five sets against Canadian Milos Raonic, 6-7(5-7), 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 6-4.
World no. 4 Andy Murray cruised to a 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 win over Colombia’s Santiago Giraldo.
Murray, who has continued to win despite a bad back, will next face a tough test in Frenchman Richard Gasquet.
Sixth seed David Ferrer is also through after beating Russian Mikhail Youzhny 6-0 6-2 6-2.
Ferrer’s victory sets up his meeting with fellow Spaniard Marcel Granollers, who outlasted Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu, 6-4, 6-4, 1-6, 4-6, 6-1.
