Rafael Nadal beats Leonardo Mayer in three sets at Barcelona Open

Defending champion Rafael Nadal beat Leonardo Mayer in three sets 6-7, 6-4, 6-2 to reach the last 16 of the Barcelona Open.

Spain's Rafael Nadal returns the ball against Argentina's Leonardo Mayer during a men's singles match at the Barcelona Open Tennis Tournament in Barcelona, Spain on Wednesday, April 24, 2019. [Photo: AP]

He will next play 37-year-old David Ferrer, who knocked out Lucas Pouille with a straight-sets win.

Grigor Dimitrov is also into the third round of the tournament after beating Fernando Verdasco in three sets.

Next up for Dimitrov is a match against Nicolas Jarry for a place in the quarter-finals.