Rafael Nadal Beats Richard Gasquet in 3rd Round of 2018 French Open

Rafael Nadal cruised to a straight-sets victory (6-3, 6-2, 6-2) over Richard Gasquet to reach the fourth round of the 2018 French Open at Stade Roland Garros in Paris.

Nadal, a 10-time winner of the French Open and the event's defending champion, moved his ATP World Tour winning streak against Gasquet to 16 matches with Saturday's triumph. He's now won 34 consecutive sets in the season's second major tournament.

He'll face Maximilian Marterer, who has already achieved his deepest Grand Slam run, in Round 4.

Nadal put together another trademark efficient performance on clay.

The 31-year-old Spanish superstar tallied 37 winners compared to just 16 unforced errors. He won 85 percent of net points, 84 percent of first-serve points and 50 percent of return points. He also converted six of nine break-point opportunities.

Nadal won the first five games of the match, with Gasquet winning only two points during that stretch.

Reem Abulleil of Sport360 discussed Rafa's French Open dominance after the second set:

He hasn't lost more than three games in any set over his last two matches against Gasquet and Guido Pella.

Marterer will provide a unique challenge in the next round.

The 22-year-old German rising star has dropped one set through three rounds, a journey that includes victories over Ryan Harrison, Denis Shapovalov and Jurgen Zopp. He has the all-around game to eventually develop into a staple during the second week of majors.

Marterer isn't on that level yet, however, and facing an in-form Nadal at the French Open is the biggest test of his career to date. The King of Clay remains the definitive favorite to win the tournament.