SHOWS: PARIS, FRANCE (MAY 29, 2019) (FFT - SEE RESTRICTIONS BEFORE USE) 1.

RAFAEL NADAL SITTING DOWN AT NEWS CONFERENCE 2.

WHITE FLASH 3.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) REIGNING FRENCH OPEN CHAMPION RAFAEL NADAL, SAYING: "I don't like the word easy, because when you win it always looks easier and when you play well things look easier and when you're playing bad things look very difficult.

So easy is never.

But I can say I've had a comfortable victory, I had been in control almost all the time and that's the only thing that really matters." 4.

WHITE FLASH 5.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) REIGNING FRENCH OPEN CHAMPION RAFAEL NADAL, SAYING: "There are always things to improve, that's part of the dire work but for the moment it's enough to be in the third round and (having) two good matches (won in) three sets.

Now I have a very tough opponent in front.

A player who plays very well against top players too, he is a top player.

He had some injuries but he's a very tough third round (opponent) to play against David..

So it's the moment to make a step forward, the good thing is that I have good feelings and I hope to be able to be ready to play at the level that I need." STORY: Rafa Nadal left German qualifier Yannick Maden no hope as he booked his ticket for the third round of the French Open in ruthless fashion with a 6-1 6-2 6-4 victory on Wednesday (May 29).

The defending champion, chasing a record-extending 12th title at Roland Garros, powered through the first two sets before being slightly bothered in the third.

But the second seed from Spain, who looks to become the first player to win a Grand Slam title 12 times, stayed business like when Maden broke back for 4-4 and the contest ended when the world number 114 returned wide.

Nadal won on Court Suzanne Lenglen, where he has never lost.

His only two defeats in 90 matches at the tournament happened on the main Court Philippe Chatrier.

Nadal will take on Belgian David Goffin, the 27th seed, for a place in the fourth round.