Rafael Nadal may have progressed into the quarter finals, defeating Ivan Ljubicic in straight sets, but it was a far from convincing performance from the world number one.
The Spaniard may have been tipped as one of the favourites for the title but he has looked far from comfortable on the red stuff in Paris.
Nadal put the Ljubicic serve under pressure from the off and an early break saw the world number one take the lead in the opening set.
He almost went ahead by a double break but Ljubicic held on before pegging the Nadal back to get the set back on serve.
The unforced errors of Nadal began to creep up, notching up twelve in the opening set, as he struggled to break through the Ljubicic defences - despite a string of break point chances.
Nadal looked far from comfortable in the match as he still struggled with the length of his shots - revealing earlier in the week that he is still not comfortable with the new balls.
Despite looking somewhat out of sorts he reeling of five straight games in the second set to take s 2-0 lead over his experience opponent.
And early break saw Rafa take a 3-1 lead but another wide forehand saw the Spaniard hand the break back.
Towards the end of the match Nadal looked to have settled into a rhythm and he looked more like the world number one that we are so use to seeing on the clay.
Despite some issues Nadal wrapped up the win in straight sets 7-5, 6-3, 6-3.
Speaking to the ATP after the match Nadal said: "I have improved since the tournament started. I'm able to play better and I'm going to continue on this path."
Nadal will now face Robin Soderling for a spot in the semi-final - Soderling is the only may to beat Nadal on the clay in Paris.
The Swede, who has crept through the draw in the last week, saw off Giles Simon in straight sets 6-2 6-3 7-6.
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw
by Helen Earnshaw
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