Rafael Nadal has pulled out of the French Open ©Getty Images

Rafael Nadal's quest for a tenth French Open title is over as the Spaniard has pulled out of the Grand Slam with a wrist injury.

The 29-year-old, who has dominated the clay court tournament in recent years, only lost nine games when progressing through the opening two rounds at this year's Roland Garros.

"I have had it [wrist injury] for a couple of weeks," said Nadal.

"I arrived here with a little bit of pain but something that I think I was able to manage.

"Every day was a little bit worse.

"Every single day we spent a lot of hours here working so hard to try to play.

"Yesterday I played with an injection on the wrist with anaesthetic.”

Nadal, who has won 14 Grand Slam titles in all, will now hope to regain fitness in time for Wimbledon next month and the Rio 2016 Olympics.

His withdrawal in Paris leaves the door open for world number one Novak Djokovic to claim the only Grand Slam title which eludes him.

Britain's Andy Murray, the Olympic champion, will also have improved chances.

Andy Murray breezed through his third round clash
Andy Murray breezed through his third round clash ©Getty Images

The Scot, who needed five sets to win both of his opening matches, eased through his third round tie today against big-serving Croatian Ivo Karlovic, 6-1, 6-4, 7-6.

Defending champion Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland progressed in straight sets against France's Jeremy Chardy, 6-4, 6-3, 7-5.

Canada's eighth seed Milos Raonic is also through after beating Slovakia's Andrej Martin 7-6, 6-2, 6-3.

Japan's fifth seed  Kei Nishikori needed five sets to oust Spaniard  Fernando Verdasco, 6–3, 6–4, 3–6, 2–6, 6–4.

There was also a victory for Frenchman Richard Gasquet, who got the better of Australian Nick Kyrgios 6–2, 7–6, 6–2.

In the women's competition, there were surprise third round exits for Czech pair Petra Kvitova and Lucie Safarova.

Kvitova, twice the Wimbledon champion, lost to American world number 108 Shelby Rogers, who came through 6-0, 6-7, 6-0 in an unbalanced match.

Safarova, the 11th seed, fell to Australia's 21st seed Samantha Stosur, 6-3, 6-7, 7-5.

Romania's 2014 beaten finalist Simona Halep came from behind to win her third round tie against Japan's Naomi Osaka, 4–6, 6–2, 6–3.

Spain's fourth seed Garbiñe Muguruza romped past Belgian Yanina Wickmayer 6-3, 6-0.