Nadal shakes off dogged Almagro

Rafael Nadal tonight shook off dogged resistance from Nicolas Almagro to stay on course for a fifth French Open title.

Although he maintained his record of not having dropped a set at this year’s tournament, the world number two was made to fight all the way by his fellow Spaniard before sealing a 7-6 (7/2) 7-6 (7/3) 6-4 victory in two hours and 35 minutes.