At 30-0 on Williams' serve in the match's final game, it appeared she might have revived her opponent's hopes as she miscued a straightforward smash and netted a forehand.

BBC: Venus Williams tumbles out of French Open

Verdasco took a mini-break with a superb forehand down the line and could have won the set had he not directed a relatively easy smash into the net.

BBC: Murray maintains winning sequence

Having squandered a break point at 3-2, Nadal earned two more when Murray shanked a forehand beyond the baseline and clinched it when the 21-year-old sent a routine smash long - to horrified gasps from the crowd.

BBC: Brutal Nadal sweeps aside Murray