Rafael Nadal records 200th Grand Slam win at French Open 2016

“That’s only another number, and that’s it,” Nadal, who would become the only man to win the same grand slam 10 times in the professional era if he triumphs this year, told reporters.

“The only thing I know is that I have reached round three and I know I have to play at a very high level in order to go deep. That’s my sole objective, my only reality.”

It was his first appearance on Court Philippe Chatrier, where nine times he has sunk his teeth into La Coupe des Mousquetaires, since being taken apart by Novak Djokovic in last year’s quarter-finals.

Tougher tests will come and top seed Djokovic looked in the groove by beating tricky Belgium Steve Darcis 7-5 6-3 6-4 as his quest for the only grand slam title to elude him gathered pace.

Defending champion Serena Williams was scheduled for second-round action later against Brazil’s Teliana Pereira on an overcast fifth day at the claycourt grand slam.

With Maria Sharapova absent, suspended pending the outcome of a doping hearing, and several leading seeds knocked out in round one, American Williams looms as the overwhelming favourite to claim a fourth title in the French capital.

She might not have it all her own way though and the likes of former champion Ana Ivanovic and Spanish claycourt specialist Carla Suarez Navarro were impressive on Thursday.

Ivanovic, seeded 14, crunched 22 forehand winners past Japan’s Kurumi Nara for a 7-5 6-1 victory while 12th seed Suarez Navarro dominated China’s Wang Qiang 6-1 6-3.

Swiss eighth seed Timea Bacsinszky also prevailed in a tricky second round against 2014 runner-up Eugenie Bouchard, winning a topsy-turvy match 6-4 6-4.

In the men’s draw seventh-seeded Czech Tomas Berdych, a former semi-finalist, moved through to the third round by beating Tunisian Malek Jaziri 6-1 2-6 6-2 6-4.

He was joined by Austrian dangerman Dominic Thiem, the youngest member of the top 15, who saw off experienced Spaniard Guillermo Garcia-Lopez in three sets.

One notable second-round faller was Australia’s Bernard Tomic, the 23-year-old 20th seed, who was beaten by rising Croatian force, teenager Borna Coric.

Venus Williams is into third round of the French Open for the first time since 2010

The seven-time major champion, seeded ninth in Paris, overpowered 20-year-old American qualifier Louisa Chirico 6-2, 6-1 in 54 minutes Thursday at Court Suzanne Lenglen.

Williams, who turns 36 next month, was the runner-up to her younger sister Serena at the 2002 French Open. But Venus hasn’t enjoyed much success at Roland Garros lately — losing in the first or second round every year from 2012-15, and missing the tournament in 2011.

Venus’ victory came right after Serena won her second-round match Thursday by the same score and on the same court.

The siblings potentially could face each other in the semifinals. (-AP)

Tsonga seals marathon

Sixth-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga rallied from two sets down against Marcos Baghdatis to reach the third round of the French Open for the eighth consecutive year.

In a matchup between two former Australian Open runner-ups, Tsonga prevailed 6-7 (6), 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 to complete a 100th Grand Slam match win.

Only two other Frenchmen have achieved the feat: Jean Borotra (103) and Henri Cochet (102), well before the Open era started.

It was the third time that Tsonga recovered from a two-set deficit, while Baghdatis had never lost a match when up two sets to love. (-AP)

Serena wins easy

Defending champion Serena Williams picked up a quick, clean victory to reach the third round of the French Open.

Williams needed only 66 minutes to beat 81st-ranked Teliana Pereira of Brazil 6-2, 6-1, piling up a 31-6 edge in winners Thursday.

In the first set, Williams had 22 of those winners, compared to only three unforced errors.

Williams is trying to win her 22nd Grand Slam title, which would equal Steffi Graf’s Open-era record. (-AP)