Rafael Nadal surges through to last 16 at French Open

Rafael Nadal swatted aside the latest challenge to his seemingly inexorable march towards an 11th French Open title. The Spaniard's strength and power on his favourite surface was too much for French 27th seed Richard Gasquet in an emphatic 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 win.

Rafael Nadal has yet to drop a set in Paris. Picture: AFP/Getty Images

Nadal has yet to drop a set in this year’s tournament and has now won 34 consecutive sets at Roland Garros. Most observers, and probably most players, feel he is currently invincible on the clay of Paris.

However, Nadal said: “I don’t know what the others think. All I know is about me. What I know is I go to the court, and I know that I could very well lose. I can win, I can lose. I don’t come here saying ‘you can’t win against me’.

“Of course I have won a lot, and it can maybe influence my opponents.”

Sixth seed Kevin Anderson is a potential quarter-final opponent for Nadal after beating Mischa Zverev 6-1, 6-7 (3-7), 6-3, 7-6 (7/4).

Croatia’s Marin Cilic, the third seed, came through with no fuss 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 against American Steve Johnson.

Eighth seed David Goffin won in five tempestuous sets against France’s Gael Monfils. The Belgian appeared to exchange angry words with his opponent during one changeover after Monfils was given a time violation before running out 6-7 (6/8), 6-3, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 winner.

Frenchman Lucas Pouille, seeded 15, was dumped out by Russia’s Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-5, 6-3.