Rafael Nadal, David Ferrer cruise

— -- PARIS -- Eight-time champion Rafael Nadal advanced to the third round of the French Open on Thursday with a 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 win against Dominic Thiem of Austria.

Although the top-seeded Spaniard broke Thiem's serve seven times, the Austrian's heavy groundstrokes caused Nadal problems and he lost on his own serve twice.

Nadal applauded Thiem as he left the court and was full of praise for his 20-year-old opponent afterward.

"He was able to hit the ball very strong from the backhand and forehand," Nadal said. "He has completely everything to become a champion."

With Nadal serving at 5-1 in the first set, Thiem saved a set point with a backhand volley at the net, then forced a break point with a forehand winner into the right corner and won the game with a replica stroke on the next point.

Nadal sealed the second set with a forehand winner down the line, but Thiem broke him again and then held for a 3-1 lead in the third.

That prompted Nadal to step up a gear and he secured two consecutive breaks.

He converted his second match point when Thiem's forehand looped out, and he next faces either Leonardo Mayer of Argentina or Russia's Teymuraz Gabashvili.

Fifth-seeded David Ferrer of Spain, last year's runner-up to Nadal, also advanced to the third round by beating Italy's Simone Bolelli 6-2, 6-3, 6-2.

Ferrer broke Bolelli's serve five times and saved all four break points he faced.

"We had to fight against the wind," Ferrer said. "After four games, it was difficult and the balls were heavy."

Seventh-seeded Andy Murray took on Marinko Matosevic later Thursday.

Also, 19th-seeded Kevin Anderson of South Africa beat Frenchman Axel Michon 6-2, 6-3, 6-2; American Donald Young won 6-1, 7-6 (1), 6-3 against No. 26 Feliciano Lopez of Spain, and Spaniard Guillermo Garcia-Lopez beat Frenchman Adrian Mannarino 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 6-0.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.