World number two Rafael Nadal progressed to the fourth round of the Miami Masters after defeating Germany's Nicolas Kiefer 6-2 6-4.

Nadal is yet to win a tournament this year and, while not as efficient as his second-round victory over German qualifier Benjamin Becker, he shrugged off a rain delay against Kiefer to complete his second straight match without facing a break point.

"It was not the best day because I was playing unbelievably in the beginning: hitting the ball very well and playing an almost perfect match," he said.

"When I came back to the court, the ball was a little bigger and slower and it was a little bit more difficult for me."

Next up for Nadal is France's Paul-Henri Mathieu, who ousted Carlos Moya of Spain 7-6 (1) 7-5.

Nadal is playing in his 12th tournament since his last title at Stuttgart in July.

Ninth-seeded American James Blake stayed on course for a possible quarter-final clash with Nadal with a 6-3 6-7 (4) 6-4 victory over Frenchman Fabrice Santoro.

In the day's other matches, Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic beat Belgian Xavier Malisse 6-3 7-6 (4), 16th seed Paul-Henri Mathieu of France defeated 20th-seeded Carlos Moya of Spain 7-6 (1) 7-5, Argentine Guillermo Canas knocked out Chilean Fernando Gonzalez 7-6(6) 7-5 and Igor Andreev of Russia beat Kevin Anderson of South Africa 6-4 6-7(4) 6-4.

AFP