Defending French Open champion Rafael Nadal has eased past Fabio Fognini in straight sets to book his place in the fourth round at Roland Garros.

Fognini put up a good fight against the seven-time champion, but eventually succumbed to a 7-6(5) 6-4 6-4 defeat.

The Italian secured the first break of serve in the fifth game of the first set, but Nadal soon broke back to level it at 4-4.

The Spaniard then had three set points with the score at 5-4, but Fognini held on to win the game and break Nadal in the next.

Nadal broke back immediately, however, forcing a tie-break that he eventually won 7-5.

The second set was more straightforward for Nadal as he won all of his service games and broke Fognini in the fifth to take it 6-4, saving three break points in the final game.

The Spaniard then broke Fognini in the first and fifth games of the third set to put himself in an even stronger position, but the Italian refused to give up. He broke Nadal once more before finally falling 6-4, as Nadal safely secured a place in the next round.