Melbourne: World No one Rafael Nadal powered past Frenchman Gael Monfils to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open in an impressive performance on Saturday.

Rafael Nadal celebrates after beating France’s Gael Monfils. Pic/AFP

The 13-time Grand Slam champion was too strong for the 25th-seeded Monfils, winning 6-1, 6-2, 6-3 in just over two hours on Rod Laver Arena.

Nadal will next face Japanese 16th seed Kei Nishikori in the fourth round. Nishikori earlier knocked out American Donald Young in straight sets.

The Spanish top seed is bidding to win his second Australian Open title and become only the third man to win each of the four Grand Slam titles twice, after Australians Roy Emerson and Rod Laver.

“No one is unstoppable. Tonight I think I played a great match,” Nadal said. “I’m very happy with the way that I played against a very tough opponent like Gael. So that makes the level that I played tonight better because was against tough opponent.