Four time French Open champion Rafael Nadal gave few chances to former world number one Lleyton Hewitt at the French Open on Saturday, winning the third round match in straight sets.

The second seed Spaniard dominated the two hours 28 minutes, beating the 29th-seeded Australian in 6-3, 6-4, 6-3.

Former U.S. Open champion Andy Roddick was knocked out by Russian qualifier Teimuraz Gabashvili, losing the third round match in straight sets 6-4, 6-4, 6-2.

Hewitt managed to break Nadal's serve in the opening game, but couldn't keep pace with the clay expert, who immediately retrieved it and made a further break to take the opener.

It's Nadal that broke the serve first in the second set. Although Hewitt returned one soon, but lost another serve later so as the second set.

The third set followed the same pattern with Nadal grabbing the victory.

"He's so tough to play on this surface. He's so good at dictating play. Defensive wise, he always makes you play so many tough shots," said the 28-year-old Hewitt, who was ranked number one in the world for the entire calendar year in 2002.

Nadal, 23, lost his first ever match at Roland Garros last year when he fell to Sweden Robin Soderling in the round of 16.

Starting freshly this season with three titles on clay, Nadal booked a last 16 clash with 24th seed Thomaz Bellucci.

"He's top level opponent," Nadal commented on his next rival. " The last time I played him he was very difficult. He's a clay specialist. "

The women's singles top seed Serena Williams overcame illness and a bad second set to defeat Russian hopeful Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-1, 1-6, 6-2.

The 12-time Grand Slam champion asked doctor to check her condition after 5-0 down and took some pills.

"I just ran out of a little energy out there. Just fighting a cold and fighting sickness," said Williams.

The 12nd seed Maria Sharapova from Russia and four time French Open champion Justine Henin from Belgium took one set each before the match being halted due to the darkness.