Shock as three-time Slam winner Wawrinka falls in Paris

PARIS: Defending champion Rafa Nadal fired an ominous warning to his French Open rivals with a ruthless win over Italy’s Stefano Travaglia in the third round, while 2015 winner Stan Wawrinka suffered a shock exit.

Nadal, chasing a record-extending 13th Roland Garros title, cruised to a 6-1, 6-4, 6-0 victory over Travaglia on Court Philippe Chatrier.

The 34-year-old Spaniard will next face American 20-year-old Sebastian Korda, who became the first qualifier in nine years to reach the fourth round by beating Spain’s Pedro Martinez 6-4, 6-3, 6-1.

Three-time Grand Slam winner Wawrinka was broken three times in the final set as he was beaten 2-6, 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-0 by French wildcard Hugo Gaston, ranked 239 in the world.

US Open champion Dominic Thiem faced eight break points against Norwegian Casper Ruud but did enough to reach the fourth round with a 6-4, 6-3, 6-1 victory.

In the women’s draw, top seed Simona Halep underlined her title credentials with a 6-0, 6-1, win over American teenager Amanda Anisimova.

Fifth seed Kiki Bertens, who left the court on a wheelchair after her second-round victory because of cramps, looked in total control as she raced past Czech Katerina Siniakova 6-2, 6-2.

Strasbourg champion Elina Svitolina also progressed to the last 16 with a clinical 6-4, 7-5, win over Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova.

Local favourite Caroline Garcia rallied from a set down to beat 16th seeded Belgian Elise Mertens 1-6, 6-4, 7-5.

Garcia will next face third seed Svitolina.