( CNN ) -- Rafael Nadal came into the French Open with his air of invincibility punctured by recent defeats but his beaten opponent Thursday -- Austrian hopeful Dominic Thiem -- believes the eight-time champion is still the man to beat at this year 's French Open . The 20-year-old Thiem admits Nadal was `` one of his idols '' growing up but showed little sign of being overawed as he detained the top seed for over two hours on Philippe Chatrier before succumbing to a 6-2 6-2 6-3 defeat in their second round match . But Thiem , the youngest man in the top 100 of the world rankings , currently occupying 57th spot , saw enough in Nadal 's game to predict he will be holding the Coupe des Mousquetaires trophy aloft on Sunday week . `` I think here in Roland Garros there are only a few man who can beat him , but yes he is the biggest favorite , '' Thiem told CNN . Nadal suffered shock quarterfinal defeats in Monte Carlo , Barcelona and in last week 's Rome final to Novak Djokovic , but Thiem believes he is an altogether different proposition at the clay court grand slam . `` He 's in his element at his favorite venue and he 's really pumped up , '' he said . `` His top spin is really tough to counter and he did n't make a lot of mistakes . '' After his victory , Nadal was also full of praise for his young opponent and applauded him off the court . `` He has completely everything to become a champion , '' he predicted . `` He as able to hit the ball very strong from the backhand and the forehand . '' Thiem , who beat Australian Open champion Stanislas Wawrinka in the second round of the Madrid Masters earlier this year , admitted to `` feeling a little bit nervous '' as he walked out on to the center court at a grand slam for the first time , . `` But fortunately I made a good start which helped a bit , '' he added . He will now head to Queens Club in London to get grass court preparation ahead of Wimbledon , while Nadal will next play Leonardo Mayer of Argentina in the third round , seeking the 61st victory of his record breaking career at the French Open . Even though he was expected to overcome Thiem , Nadal must have been slightly relieved as several big names have exited the tournament already . They include women 's number one and defending champion , Serena Williams , second-seed Li Na and Wawrinka -- the man Nadal lost to in the Australian Open final . Elsewhere , Wimbledon champion Andy Murray , and 2013 finalist David Ferrer , advanced with straight sets wins in the men 's draw . Murray led Nadal by a break in the third set at the Rome Masters earlier this month , only for the 13-time grand slam winner to rally . They could meet again in the semifinals in Paris , although Murray must first get past Philipp Kohlschreiber in the next round . Kohlschreiber won a clay-court title last weekend in his native Germany and crushed the Scot on clay in Monte Carlo in 2010 in their lone head-to-head . In the women 's tournament , fourth seed Simona Halep of Romania , tipped by many for grand slam glory soon , beat Heather Watson of Britain 6-2 6-4 . Serbian sixth seed Jelena Jankovic , who could directly benefit from the loss of Li Na in her section of the draw , continued her fine form in Paris with a 7-5 6-0 dismissal of Japan 's Kurumi Nara . Former world number one and French Open champion Ana Ivanovic also went though while Sloane Stephens kept American hopes high in the absence of the defeated Williams with a 6-1 6-3 victory over Polona Hercog of Slovenia .
Defending champion Rafael Nadal beats Dominic Thiem at the French Open . Nadal eases past the promising Austrian in straight sets at Roland Garros . There were also victories for Andy Murray , David Ferrer and Jelena Jankovic . The tournament has already lost Serena Williams , Li Na and Stan Wawrinka .