Nadal crushes Korda to reach French Open last eight

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates during the French Open in Paris, France, October 4, 2020. /VCG

Rafael Nadal blew away American qualifier Sebastian Korda 6-1 6-1 6-2 to romp into the French Open quarter-finals on Sunday and close in on a record-extending 13th title at Roland Garros.

Nadal has lost no sets and only 23 games in reaching his 42nd Grand Slam quarter-final and is yet to face a seed.

Rising Italian Jannick Sinner, the first player since Nadal in 2005 to reach the quarter-finals on his debut, is next.

"I'm in the quarter-finals without losing a set and having very positive scores. So I can't complain at all," the 34-year-old, who needs one more Grand Slam title to equal Roger Federer's 20, told reporters.

"Today, the conditions out there were so difficult to play a fantastic match, the wind was very high. But in general terms, I am very happy."

Dominic Thiem of Austria in action during his French Open's men's singles fourth round match against Hugo Gaston of France in Paris, France, October 4, 2020. /VCG

Meanwhile, Austrian Dominic Thiem was made to sweat before advancing into the quarter-finals as he ended Frenchman Hugo Gaston's dream run with a 6-4, 6-4, 5-7, 3-6, 6-3 victory on Sunday.

A maximum of 1,000 spectators are allowed at Roland Garros amid COVID-19 restrictions, while the U.S. Open was played without any fans at all.

(With input from agencies)