Spain's Rafael Nadal plays a backhand return to France's Richard Gasquet during their men's singles third round match on day seven of The Roland Garros 2018 French Open tennis tournament in Paris on Saturday. CHRISTOPHE SIMON / AFP

Rafael Nadal continued his bid for an 11th French Open title on Saturday by brushing aside home favourite Richard Gasquet to claim a 16th consecutive win over his childhood friend and reach the fourth round. The 16-time Grand Slam champion has still never lost to his old junior rival at Tour level, after easing to a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 victory on Court Philippe Chatrier.