Nadal, Djoko sweep rivals

PARIS – French Open title rivals Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic stormed into the last 32 on Wednesday, while women’s defending champion Garbina Muguruza survived a second-round scare.

Nadal outclassed Dutchman Robin Haase, 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 on Court Philippe Chatrier to continue his quest for an incredible 10th Roland Garros triumph.

“I was more or less under control during the whole match, so I’m very happy. Winning in straight sets is always good news,” said Nadal.

“I think I did a lot of things well this afternoon.”

The Spaniard will face Nikoloz Basilashvili for a place in round four after the Georgian matched his  best-ever run at a Grand Slam.

Defending champion Djokovic battered Portugal’s Joao Sousa 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 to make it four wins in as many meetings with the world number 59.

Meanwhile, Venus Williams  shook off a slow start to ease into the third round with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Japan’s Kurumi Nara.

Williams, the 2002 runner-up who turns 37 next month, will play Belgium’s Elise Mertens in the third round.

“Do I sense (the draw) is open? I just am really focused on me and nothing’s a given, or else I’d win every match,” said Venus, who has sister Serena in Paris supporting her.

The second seed plays Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman for a place in the last 16.

“I think the first two sets went very well, the third was was more difficult,” said Djokovic.

“Generally, I felt better than the first round, so that’s exactly what I wanted.”

Sixth seed Dominic Thiem charged into round three with a routine win over Simone Bolelli, sweeping the Italian aside 7-5, 6-1, 6-3.

The Austrian, who is the only player to defeat Nadal on clay this season, will meet American 25th seed Steve Johnson next as he looks to build on last year’s run to the semifinals.

Milos Raonic, Grigor Dimitrov and David Goffin sailed through, but French hopes suffered a huge blow as 12th seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga crashed out to Renzo Olivo in his opening match.

Serving to stay in the contest when darkness halted their tie on Tuesday, Tsonga was broken immediately when play resumed. The Argentine world number 91 won 7-5, 6-4, 6-7 (6/8), 6-4.

Reigning champion Muguruza survived another tough examination from 53rd-ranked Anett Kontaveit, who beat the Spaniard in Stuttgart last month.

Muguruza has endured a difficult 2017 and again found herself in trouble after falling a set and a break behind against the Estonian.