Nadal cruises but Serena needs a doctor

FOR anybody who still doubted it, Rafael Nadal proved he was in rude health as he bulldozed into the second week of the French Open last night but a dizzy Serena Williams needed the doctor to keep her challenge alive.

On a grey and cheerless day at Roland Garros, four-times champion Nadal subdued a belligerent Lleyton Hewitt to reach the last 16 although a comfortable looking 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 scoreline disguised a ferocious war of wills.

For the fourth time in five years here Hewitt could punch no holes in the Nadal defences and there was plenty of firepower heading his way.

Nadal, yet to drop a set at Roland Garros this year, plays Thomaz Bellucci next.

Williams opened proceedings on centre court against Russian teenager Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and the American seemed to be affected by the chill midway through a topsy-turvy 6-1, 1-6, 6-2 victory that assured her of the world No.1 ranking, at least until next month's Wimbledon.

After surrendering serve she rattled off six games to win the first set but then fell 5-0 behind in the second at which point the visibly wobbly 28-year-old called for the doctor.

"I just got a little dizzy. I don't know. I got really fatigued. I felt really dizzy out there. I was just trying just to stay in it," she said. "I've been loading up on vitamins. I should be okay, I hope."