Clinical Nadal stays on track for historic title

RAFAEL Nadal secured his 25th consecutive win at the French Open yesterday after dispatching Fernando Verdasco in straight sets.

Nadal was always in control of the all-Spanish fourth-round encounter, posting a 6-1 6-0 6-2 triumph that keeps his quest to equal Bjorn Borg’s record of four consecutive Roland Garros titles well on track.

Verdasco, who defeated number 15 seed Mikhail Youzhny in the last round, appeared completely at a loss as to how to deal with the unrelenting power of the clay-court maestro, and meekly succumbed in the opening two sets.