adminDEFENDING champion Rafael Nadal overcame a spirited Leonardo Mayer to reach the French Open fourth round.
Nadal came through some testing periods before completing a 6-2 7-5 6-2 win and next plays Dusan Lajovic, who beat Jack Sock 6-4 7-5 6-3. In the women’s draw, ex-Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova lost to 2009 French Open winner Svetlana Kuznetsova.
Kvitova won the first set on a tie-break but was then hampered by a leg injury as she lost 6-7 (3-7) 6-1 9-7.
Kuznetsova next plays Lucie Safarova, who saw off Ana Ivanovic 6-3 6-3.
Fourth seed Simona Halep, the highest seed left in the women’s draw, beat Maria-Teresa Torro-Flor 6-3 6-0 to set up a tie with Sloane Stephens.
American Stephens eased into the fourth round with a 6-3 6-4 win over Ekaterina Makarova.
Nadal’s Spanish compatriot David Ferrer also won in the men’s draw as he beat Andreas Seppi 6-2 7-6 6-3 to set up a fourth round tie against Kevin Anderson, who progressed after Ivo Karlovic retired hurt. – BBC Sport.
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