Things are going to plan for defending French Open champion Rafael Nadal, as the Spaniard demolished Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan to coast into the third round at Roland Garros.
Nadal saved both break points he faced in the match, dropping just four games on the way to a comprehensive 6-2 6-2 6-0 victory over his opponent.
The second seed needed less than two hours on court to wrap up the win and stay on course for a record seventh French Open title.
Andy Murray beats Jarkko Nieminen
Before that, fourth seed Andy Murray overcame a back injury and an opening set loss to beat Finland’s Jarkko Nieminen, 1-6 6-4 6-1 6-2.
Russia’s top man, Mikhail Youzhny, was also made to work hard, but still progressed after beating Dutchman Robin Haase in straight sets, 6-3 7-6 6-4.
Next up for Youznhy is a tough challenge in the guise of Spain’s David Ferrer, who proved too strong for Benoit Paire of France, 6-3 6-3 6-2.
Dmitry Tursunov, bowed out of the competition to another Frenchman, Julien Benneteau, 6-4 6-4 6-4.
Isner loses in marathon match
John Isner lost to Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-7 (2), 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 18-16 in the second round of the French Open.
The match lasted 5 hours, 41 minutes. The last set alone took 2-28.
Isner won the longest match in tennis history two years ago, beating Nicolas Mahut 70-68 in the fifth set at Wimbledon.
Thursday’s match was the second-longest by time in French Open history. The record is 6.33.
Wozniacki, Li Na move ahead
Caroline Wozniacki stayed on course for a showdown with Maria Sharapova in a quarter of the draw blown wide open by Serena Williams’ shock exit.
Wozniacki, seeded ninth, breezed past Jarmila Gajdosova with a 6-1, 6-4 win.
Serena’s stunning loss to France’s Virginie Razzano on Tuesday has removed the most formidable obstacle preventing a quarter-final between Wozniacki and Sharapova.
Fourth seed Petra Kvitova coasted into the third round with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Poland’s Urszula Radwanska. The Wimbledon champion, who only dropped three games in her opening win over Australian teenager Ashleigh Barty, needed just 70 minutes to win this one.
Defending champion Na Li reached third round with a 6-0, 6-2 win over Stephanie Foretz Gacon.
The seventh seeded Li, who last year became the first Asian player to win a Grand Slam singles title, needed just 52 minutes to advance. Foretz Gacon, the World No.86, won the first two points but that was as close as she came to victory as Li bagged the opening 10 games.
