Nadal powers into third round

PARIS, Jun 2 (Reuters) Champion Rafael Nadal flexed his claycourt muscles to power into the third round of the French Open with a 6-2 6-1 6-4 win over American lucky loser Kevin Kim today.

On the eve of his 20th birthday, the Spanish second seed extended his record winning streak on the slow surface to 55 as Kim struggled to come to grips with the swirling breeze around Court Suzanne Lenglen.

Nadal, who had to wait in the locker room yesterday after his match was postponed by rain, took his time to find his groove today.

But once he had established a 4-2 lead in the first set, Nadal won seven games on the trot against his 116th-ranked opponent who was clearly out of his depth.

A netted forehand ended Kim's ordeal in just under two hours, allowing Nadal to set up a third-round showdown with France's Paul-Henri Mathieu.

Eighth seed James Blake is now the sole American left in the men's draw.

REUTERS PG BD1852