Nadal holds off brave Bellucci

Rafael Nadal today buried the ghosts of his first French Open defeat by notching up his 200th win on clay and reaching this year’s quarter-finals.

Four-time champion Nadal was stunned by an inspired Robin Soderling in round four 12 months ago, but despite a defiant display on Philippe Chatrier Court this afternoon, young Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci was unable to repeat the feat.