(CNN) -- Three-time defending champion Rafael Nadal made light work of his heavy schedule and a recurring foot problem to reach the last 16 of the French Open on Friday.



Rafael Nadal inspects his blistered foot during his third-round victory against Jarko Nieminen.



The world No. 2 crushed Finnish 26th seed Jarkko Nieminen 6-1 6-3 6-1 in his fourth successive day of action on the Paris clay, following frustration this week with bad weather.



He will play fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco after his 7-6 5-7 7-6 6-1 win over 15th seed Mikhail Youzhny of Russia.



Third seed Novak Djokovic was also untroubled in a later third round match to see off Wayne Odesnik of the United States 7-5 6-4 6-2.



Nadal will be hoping for some time to let his blistered foot recover, needing treatment during the match against Nieminen for a problem that saw him beaten in the second round of the Rome Masters earlier in the claycourt season.



He is bidding to become the second man after the legendary Bjorn Borg to win four successive titles at Roland Garros, but has already vented his anger at the ATP Tour for scheduling four top-level clay events in as many weeks.  Watch Nadal talk about his tournament hopes »



Nadal showed little signs of tiredness as he cruised past Nieminen in less than two hours to extend his winning record at the tournament to 24 matches.



His opening victory against Brazil's Thomaz Bellucci took two days due to torrential rain, then on Thursday he saw off another qualifier in straight sets when he beat Frenchman Nicolas Devilder.



In other third round action on Friday, Spain's Nicolas Almagro again showed his clay court pedigree with a 6-3 6-7 6-3 7-5 win over Britain's 10th seed Andy Murray.



Almagro, who has won two titles on clay this season, was made to work hard by Murray, but recovered from a 3-1 deficit in the third set to win seven games in row and take command.



He will now play 145th-ranked Frenchman Jeremy Chardy who ended the run of 30th seed Dmitry Tursunov of Russia in straight sets.



Latvia's Ernests Gulbis continued his fine run as he defeated Nicolas Lapentti of Ecuador 6-3 7-5 6-2 to set up a clash with home hope Michael Llodra who beat Italy's Simone Bolelli in straight sets.



In second-round action, France's Florent Serra completed a hard-fought 6-4 6-3 6-7 7-6 win over Victor Hanescu of Romania and will next face American Bobby Ginepri.
What did Nicolas Almagro put out? Who does Spanish world No. 2 crush? What three time defending champion is into the last 16 of  the French Open? Where was the fourth round played? Who did Fernando Verdasco beat? Who beat Mikhail Youzhny? Which 10th seed of Britain did Nicolas Almagro put out? What third seed will join Nadal in the forth round Who put out 10th seed Andy Murray?
6-3 6-7 6-3 7-5 win over Britain's 10th seed Andy Murray. Jarkko Nieminen Rafael Nadal Paris Mikhail Youzhny Fernando Verdasco Andy Murray. Novak Djokovic Spain's Nicolas Almagro
question: What did Nicolas Almagro put out?, answer: 6-3 6-7 6-3 7-5 win over Britain's 10th seed Andy Murray. | question: Who does Spanish world No. 2 crush?, answer: Jarkko Nieminen | question: What three time defending champion is into the last 16 of  the French Open?, answer: Rafael Nadal | question: Where was the fourth round played?, answer: Paris | question: Who did Fernando Verdasco beat?, answer: Mikhail Youzhny | question: Who beat Mikhail Youzhny?, answer: Fernando Verdasco | question: Which 10th seed of Britain did Nicolas Almagro put out?, answer: Andy Murray. | question: What third seed will join Nadal in the forth round, answer: Novak Djokovic | question: Who put out 10th seed Andy Murray?, answer: Spain's Nicolas Almagro