Nadal blasts into round four
Andy Murray could be Nadal's next opponent
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Saturday, 20, Jan 2007 09:57
Second seed Rafael Nadal wasted little time in dispatching Stanislas Wawrinka 6-2 6-2 6-2 in the third round of the Australian Open to set up a potential tie with Britain's Andy Murray.
Nadal was in imperious form as his heavy ground strokes from the back of the court proved too much for the Swiss 31st seed to handle.
The 20-year-old was never really stretched by his opponent and the world number two said he felt in the sort of form that could take him a long way in the tournament.
After the match the Spaniard said: "I feel very comfortable with my forehand, with my serve, with my backhand too. Today I played a very complete match."
Former Wimbledon finalist and eighth seed David Nalbandian came from two sets down to win for the second time this week as he overcame Frenchman Sebastien Grosjean.
The Argentine won 5-7 4-6 7-6 (7/4) 6-4 6-1 but was helped by Grosjean injuring his groin in the second set. Despite this Nalbandian still had to save three match points before eventually taking the match in a one-sided fifth set.
Third seed Nikolay Davydenko also progressed with an easy straight sets win over Fabrice Santoro 7-6 (7-1) 6-2 6-2.
James Blake eased past fellow American Robby Ginepri 7-6 (9-7) 7-5 6-2. The fifth seed is yet to drop a set in this year's tournament.
The only play that was possible on a rain affected day was on the two covered courts meaning that Andy Murray's game with Juan Ignacio Chela was delayed but should be completed later today.