French Open 2018: Defending champion Rafael Nadal eases into last 16


FE Team | Published: June 03, 2018 15:05:49 | Updated: June 04, 2018 14:00:28


Rafael Nadal in action during his third round match against France's Richard Gasquet - Reuters photo

Defending champion and world number one Rafael Nadal eased into the last 16 of the French Open with a straight-set win over home hopeful Richard Gasquet.

The Spaniard, chasing an 11th title at Roland Garros, won 6-3 6-2 6-2 in one hour, 58 minutes on Philippe-Chatrier.

Nadal, who turns 32 on Sunday, has now defeated the 31-year-old Frenchman in each of their 16 meetings, according to a BBC report.

Next up for Nadal is unseeded German Maximilian Marterer, who beat Estonia's Jurgen Zopp 6-2 6-1 6-4.

"I played very well, I'm sorry for Richard, he is a good friend and a good person," Nadal said during a post-match interview on Saturday.

Elsewhere, third seed Marin Cilic reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the 20th time when he beat American Steve Johnson 6-3 6-2 6-4 in one hour, 34 minutes.

The Croat will face Italy's Fabio Fognini, who knocked out British number one Kyle Edmund as he took a thrilling five-setter 6-3 4-6 3-6 6-4 6-4.

Fifth-seeded Argentine Juan Martin del Potro booked his place in the last 16 at Roland Garros for the first time in six years, with a straightforward 7-5 6-4 6-1 victory over Spain's Albert Ramos-Vinolas.

The 2009 US Open champion will take on ninth seed John Isner for a place in the quarter-finals after the American beat Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 7-6 (7-4).

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