Rafael Nadal provided a claycourt lesson for one of the game's young apprentices at the French Open when he crushed rising Austrian Dominic Thiem with a masterly display to reach the third round on Thursday.
The eight-time champion showed flashes of his intimidating best in a 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 win that was tougher than the scoreline suggested, but was never seriously in doubt against a player of whom grand things are expected.
While world No. 1 Nadal improved his Roland Garros record to 61-1 in ruthless fashion, prospective semifinal opponent Andy Murray cruised into the third round by outclassing Australia's Marinko Matosevic.