PARIS - Defending champion Rafael Nadal survived an early scare in the second round to beat Martin Klizan while second seed Roger Federer reached the last 16 with an easy win over 30th seed Julien Benneteau here on Friday.

Klizan, a powerful left-handed Slovakian, shocked Nadal by claiming the first set before the third seed rallied to win the next three 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.

Nadal, a 11-time Grand Slam winner, has secured his spot in the next round thanks to his 54th win in 55 matches after two hours and 44 minutes.

The Spaniard will next take on Italy's Fabio Fognini, who has an off day on the day.

Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a return to Martin Klizan of Slovakia during their men's singles match at the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris May 31, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

"I was too defensive at the start but I improved and I am happy with the way I finished," Nadal said.

Benneteau, who beat Federer in their last meeting in Rotterdam earlier this year, was broken in the opening game. But the 17-time grand slam champion turned the tide around soon and won the match 6-3, 6-4, 7-5.

It was Federer's 57th win at Roland Garros and he will next face home favourite Gilles Simon of France for a spot in the quarter-finals. Simon beat American Sam Querrey 2-6, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (2), 6-2 in another match.

Meanwhile, seventh seed and home favourite Richard Gasquet reached the third round for the third successive year with a 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 win over Polish qualifer Michal Przysiezny, the world No 133 and set up a showdown with Russian veteran Nikolay Davydenko in the round of 32.

In the women's competition, top seed Serena Williams took just 61 minutes to book her place in the fourth round by crushing Sorana Cirstea 6-0, 6-2.

The 15-time Grand Slam winner, who has dropped just six games in three matches and is looking for her second French Open title after 2002, will now play Italy's Roberta Vinci.

Defending champion Maria Sharapova was on cout for just 15 minutes to record a rain-delayed win against Canadian teenager Eugenie Bouchard.

The Russian, who is seeded second in Paris, returned to Court Philippe Chatrier leading 6-2, 4-2 after the match had been interrupted by rain late on Thursday.

And it took just four more games for her to complete the match, sealing the win on her first match point when her opponent hit long under pressure.

Sharapova next faces China's Zheng Jie for a place in the last 16 on Saturday.