Rafael Nadal dominated Juan Ignacio Londero 6-2 6-3 6-3 to reach his 13th Quarter-Final at Roland Garros.
The 11 time champion was too strong for the Argentine as he progressed to the last eight in Paris for the 13th time in his career.
Despite winning an epic five set match to reach his first ever fourth round match at a grand slam, Londero didn’t have enough energy to outlast the Spaniard.
Next up for Nadal in the last eight is Kei Nishikori or Benoit Paire.
It was a very quick start from the world number two, who was suited to the burning hot conditions in Paris as he fired up his forehand early.
After being broken in the second game, Londero managed to settle with some good groundstrokes as he looked to power past the Nadal defence.
That tactic worked to an extent as he did manage to create a few break points in the fifth game as Nadal couldn’t dominate behind his second serve.
However Nadal managed to save those break points with ease as he was able to hit the lines with his powerful forehand and outmanoeuvre the Argentinian.
The Argentinian was missing his best shots today as his previous match seemed to take a lot out of him as Nadal broke again to take the first set.
It was a better start to the second set than the first from the world number 78 but to no reward as Nadal stepped up his game when it mattered most.
Dictating points from the baseline, the 11 time champion was able to move with ease around the court and cause Londero problems.
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A break in the sixth game was enough as Nadal took a two set lead without any real trouble.
After fading away at the start of the third set, Londero decided to take a no-nonsense approach to the match as he was starting to hit the ball cleanly.
The 25 year-old recovered one of the two breaks back and started to forge some momentum towards the match as he had 0-30 on Nadal’s serve.
But the King of Clay overcame the min-blip to win the two games needed to seal the match and his 13th Roland Garros quarter-final.
Still yet to be seriously tested, Nadal’s bid for a 12th title in Paris keeps getting stronger with a match against Kei Nishikori or Benoit Paire awaiting on Tuesday.
