Nadal sets up Spanish showdown with Lopez

RAFAEL NADAL made smooth progress into the fourth round of the US Open with a straightforward win over Gilles Simon last night.

The first two sets were closely fought but the world number one always had the edge and he ran through the third to complete a 6-4 6-4 6-2 victory and set up a last-16 clash against fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez.

David Ferrer and Fernando Verdasco set up another all-Spanish duel.