Rafael Nadal progresses in Miami

Rafael Nadal in Miami (GETTY IMAGES)

Rafael Nadal was a convincing third-round winner at the Sony Ericsson Open as he raced past Czech player Radek Stepanek.

The Spanish second seed was hardly troubled as he won 6-2 6-2 to set up a last-16 tussle with Japan's Kei Nishikori.

Nishikori, seeded 16th, came through 6-4 6-2 against Czech Lukas Rosol.

It was a particularly poor day for the Czech players. Seventh seed Tomas Berdych was another casualty among their number as he lost 6-3 2-6 6-4 to rising Bulgarian star Grigor Dimitrov.

Ninth seed Janko Tipsarevic is next for Dimitrov, after edging past Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-4 5-7 6-2.

Thirteenth seed Gilles Simon beat Jurgen Melzer 7-6 (7/5) 6-4 and will meet Andy Murray next.

World number four Murray moved into the fourth round without hitting a ball after scheduled opponent Milos Raonic pulled out with an ankle injury.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was given a workout by Philipp Kohlschreiber, the Frenchman knocking out his German opponent 6-4 7-6 (7/2). And Tsonga will tackle another German next, 19th seed Florian Mayer knocking out heavy-serving American John Isner 6-4 6-2.

PA