Claycourt master Rafael Nadal powered his way into the fourth round of his beloved French Open as his campaign for a record-extending 13th title picked up momentum with a merciless 6-1 6-4 6-0 demolition of Italian Stefano Travaglia Friday.
The second seed, looking to match Roger Federer’s record of 20 men’s Grand Slam singles titles, will next meet 20-year-old American Sebastian Korda, one of his biggest admirers.
Nadal is yet to lose a set in this year’s edition.
Nadal faced little resistance on court Philippe Chatrier, hitting 28 winners as the stars start to align for the Spaniard.
Nadal, in his 16th consecutive appearance at Roland Garros since his triumphant debut in 2005, started in dominant fashion, winning the first nine points.
After 23 minutes, the first set was already in the bag.
Travaglia had only managed six points, being completely overwhelmed by the Spaniard’s power.
The 74th-ranked Italian played deeper early in the second set and Nadal found himself with a little more of a challenge.
He broke for 4-3 but in the following game faced his first break point, which he saved to extend his lead to 5-3, then held to love to move two sets up.
Travaglia’s resistance cost him dearly as he collapsed in the third set, managing only eight points.
