Defending champion Rafael Nadal is through to the quarter finals of the French Open at Roland Garros after thrashing Fernando Verdasco 6-1 6-0 6-2.
Nadal is on course for a semi-final meeting with third seed Novak Djokovic, although he first has to overcome Nicolas Almagro. By the same token, Djokovic, who gained his quarter final place at the expense of local favourite Paul-Henri Mathieu, has to get past the 19 year old Latvian Ernest Gulbis.