Hewitt earns right to meet Nadal in French Open

Paris, May 29 (ANI): Australian Lleyton Hewitt thrust himself back into the firing line by booking a French Open third round clash against clay king Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros.

Hewitt prevailed 1-6 6-3 6-4 2-6 6-2 over Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan in three hours and eight minutes in Paris.

Nadal destroyed Argentina's Horacio Zeballos 6-2 6-2 6-3 on centre court.

It will be the Australian's fourth meeting in five years with Nadal at the Roland Garros.

While Nadal predicted that Hewitt would be a difficult opponent, the latter, who is playing in his 11th Roland Garros tournament, insists he will have nothing to lose.

Meanwhile, on a day when nine of the top 10 seeds were in action, defending champion Roger Federer eased past German qualifier Julian Reister 6-4 6-0 6-4 to reach the fourth round.

Federer will now face either fellow Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka or Italy's Fabio Fognini for a place in the quarterfinals.

Britain's Andy Murray, the No.4 seed, joined Federer in the last 16 with a 6-2 6-3 0-6 6-2 win over Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus.

Serbian No.3 seed Novak Djokovic, a semi-finalist in 2007 and 2008, cantered to a 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 win over Japan's Kei Nishikori.

Djokovic will face Romania's Victor Hanescu for a place in the last 16. (ANI)