Birthday boy Rafa Nadal breezes past Kei Nishikori to reach last eight of French Open
RAFA NADAL laid down a marker after his comprehensive straight sets 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 victory over Kei Nishikori to book is place in the last eight of the French Open.
The Spaniard's form at Roland Garros has been shaky, and had to come from a set down to win his first and second round matches.
But the third seed seemed to rediscover his best form against the 15th seed, and played with his customary intensity.
Nadal's forehands were imperious and after coming through a tight opening set, he never looked back.
Nishikori held his first service game of the second set, but Nadal reeled off seven straight service games and wrapped up the second set with consummate ease.
A single break in the fourth game of the third set was enough for Nadal to see out the match in a time of two hours and two minutes.
Nadal was presented with a four-tiered birthday cake to mark his 27th birthday.
"To celebrate my birthday on the centre court of Roland Garros is fantastic," Nadal told reporters.
"Nishikori is a great player, he's getting better and better every season.
"Today I played a little better than the previous day so that's important for me."