Nadal still on course for third title

RAFAEL NADAL gave yet another clay-court masterclass yesterday as he passed his first genuine test of this year’s French Open with flying colours to ease into the quarter-finals.

The Spaniard, seeking a third straight Roland Garros title, surged past Lleyton Hewitt 6-3 6-1 7-6 (7/5) to seal a last-eight showdown with countryman Carlos Moya.

Nadal was expected to be given a real examination by the gutsy Hewitt.