MX23RW : Tuesday, April 23 12:09:19| >> :600:343699530:343699530:

Rafael Nadal moves into French Open fourth round

Nadal moves into fourth round
© AP Photos
Rafael Nadal continues his defence of the French Open title with a straight-sets win over Fabio Fognini.

Defending French Open champion Rafael Nadal has eased past Fabio Fognini in straight sets to book his place in the fourth round at Roland Garros.

Fognini put up a good fight against the seven-time champion, but eventually succumbed to a 7-6(5) 6-4 6-4 defeat.

The Italian secured the first break of serve in the fifth game of the first set, but Nadal soon broke back to level it at 4-4.

The Spaniard then had three set points with the score at 5-4, but Fognini held on to win the game and break Nadal in the next.

Nadal broke back immediately, however, forcing a tie-break that he eventually won 7-5.

The second set was more straightforward for Nadal as he won all of his service games and broke Fognini in the fifth to take it 6-4, saving three break points in the final game.

The Spaniard then broke Fognini in the first and fifth games of the third set to put himself in an even stronger position, but the Italian refused to give up. He broke Nadal once more before finally falling 6-4, as Nadal safely secured a place in the next round.

ID:87089: cacheID:87089:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1940:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Kei Nishikori from Japan returns the ball to Pablo Andujar from Spain during the Madrid Open tennis tournament on May 10, 2013
Read Next:
Nishikori "happy" to make history
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!