Ruthless Nadal charges into French Open last 16, Wawrinka exits

Defending champion Rafa Nadal fired an ominous warning to his French Open rivals with a ruthless win over Italy's Stefano Travaglia in the third round on Friday, while 2015 winner Stan Wawrinka suffered a shock exit.

Nadal, chasing a record-extending 13th Roland Garros title, cruised to a 6-1 6-4 6-0 victory over Travaglia on Court Philippe Chatrier.

The 34-year-old Spaniard will next face American 20-year-old Sebastian Korda, who became the first qualifier in nine years to reach the fourth round by beating Spain's Pedro Martinez 6-4 6-3 6-1.

Three-times Grand Slam winner Wawrinka was broken three times in the final set as he was beaten 2-6 6-3 6-3 4-6 6-0 by French wildcard Hugo Gaston, ranked 239 in the world.

At Court Philippe-Chatrier, second seed Nadal, looking to match Roger Federer's record of 20 men's Grand Slam singles titles, will next meet 20-year-old American Sebastian Korda, one of his biggest admirers.

"That means that I have been on the TV for such a long time, that's the main thing. The same like when I was a kid, I was watching (Pete) Sampras, (Andre) Agassi, Carlos Moya, etc," said Nadal, who has yet to lose a set in this year's edition.

"Another negative thing that means is that I am 34. That's another point that is not beautiful. But I'm happy to hear that. I know he's playing great. He's a very young kid with a lot of power. I think he has an amazing future -- hopefully not yet."

Nadal faced little resistance on court Philippe Chatrier, hitting 28 winners as the stars start to align for the Spaniard.

"The scoreline is because I did a lot of good things, I went to the net more often, I was more aggressive," he said.

"I played my best match here at Roland Garros this year."

Nadal, in his 16th consecutive appearance at Roland Garros since his triumphant debut in 2005, started in dominant fashion, winning the first nine points.

After 23 minutes, the first set was already in the bag. Travaglia had only managed six points, being completely overwhelmed by the Spaniard's power.

The 74th-ranked Italian played deeper early in the second set and Nadal found himself with a little more of a challenge.

He broke for 4-3 but in the following game faced his first break point, which he saved to extend his lead to 5-3, then held to love to move two sets up.

Travaglia's resistance cost him dearly as he collapsed in the third set, managing only eight points.

"I made a step forward in a lot of ways," said Nadal. "I think he played a great second set, it was close. I was able to find a way."

In front of the vociferous Court Suzanne Lenglen fans, Wawrinka, whose only loss to a Frenchman in 10 previous matches at Roland Garros was against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in 2012, ran out of steam as the 20-year-old, ranked 239th, romped to victory.

Gaston, albeit at only 1.73 metres, is the last French man standing out of the 18 that started in the main draw at this year's tournament, and wrapped up the contest with a bagel in the deciding set against the three-time Grand Slam champion.

The Frenchman next faces Austrian third seed and U.S. Open champion Dominic Thiem, runner-up at Roland Garros in the last two years, and is relishing the prospect of more matches.

"It's difficult to explain, it's fantastic. It was a great match and I'm very happy today really," Gaston, who likes the way Australian Nick Kyrgios plays, told reporters.

"I try to go to court believing I can win. I knew it was difficult but it's possible. I want to play more games, more matches. It's very important to go in with victory in mind."