Rafael Nadal vs. Andrey Kuznetsov: Score and Reaction from 2015 French Open

Rafael Nadal advanced to the fourth round of the 2015 French Open with a straight-sets victory (6-1, 6-3, 6-2) over Andrey Kuznetsov on Saturday. The Spanish superstar has yet to drop a set as he seeks his unprecedented 10th championship at Roland Garros.

Nadal entered the season's second major with a 17-5 record on clay this year—a solid mark for most players but not nearly as dominant as usual from the King of Clay. It raised questions about his ability to continue his run of success in Paris.

The Sydney Morning Herald passed along comments from him leading up to the event, and he admitted his form wasn't where it had been ahead of previous French Opens.

"Obviously today I'm not as good as I (was)," Nadal said. "Life has been fantastic with me. Today I'm not winning as much as I did in the past. Life continues."

Perhaps returning to the grounds of Roland Garros has allowed him to rediscover some of the magic. He's played terrific tennis through three rounds. Although it's been against merely average competition, it's still a positive sign overall.

Kuznetsov was able to challenge Nadal's serve in the opening set. The Russian underdog was able to generate three break points and converted one. But the Spaniard's returning effort was simply too strong, as he broke in all four of his opponent's service games.

Howard Bryant of ESPN noted during the set that Nadal didn't look all the way back to top form, but he was making progress:

Alistair Hendrie of the Daily Mirror summed up the first set:

Kuznetsov was finally able to hold for the first time in his second service game of Set 2. Otherwise, it was more of the same from Nadal, who was in firm control until a brief lapse allowed the Russian to get a break back. Nadal was able to serve out the set in his next opportunity.

His movement around the court was fluid, and his topspin forehand was causing serious problems for Kuznetsov. Those are two key hallmarks for the 14-time major champion when he's at his best.

Jon Wertheim of Sports Illustrated provided his take:

Nadal once again grabbed an early break in the third set and never looked back. The final scoreline will show a routine victory, and for the most part, it was. Kuznetsov did make a couple of surges, though, and the clay-court master did well to fend him off.

Roland Garros highlighted Nadal's consistent success at the French Open:

ByTheMin Tennis provided some of the winner's post-match reaction:

Nadal advances to face Jack Sock, the only American left in the men's draw, in the fourth round. It will mark the first career meeting between the No. 6 seed and the 22-year-old rising star from the United States, who beat Borna Coric in the third round.

Obviously, facing Nadal represents a massive increase in the level of competition, especially on clay. That said, it should be a good test for the nine-time French Open champion as well. He's been on cruise control so far and could finally get tested in the battle for a spot in the quarterfinals.

It could be a monumental moment in Sock's career if he pulls off the upset. More likely, it will be an outstanding learning experience against one of the best to ever play in Nadal.