Nadal in Cincinnati Masters 3rd round

CINCINNATI: Second seed Rafael Nadal defeated South Korea's Lee Hyung-taik 6-4 6-3 for the second time in seven days to reach the third round of the Cincinnati Masters on Wednesday.   

The Spanish world number two produced the straightforward win in 80 minutes, breaking three times while never losing serve.   

The double French Open champion earned an identical winning scoreline last week in the Toronto Masters against the 30-year-old Korean.   

"My goal is improve on every surface, my goal is improve my game," Nadal told reporters. "Not only on hard court but on every surface.   

"But to improve on every surface, I need improve my game, that's the challenge."   

Nadal is keen to make an impact during the American hardcourt season following his third-round defeat in Toronto last week.   

Although he has captured five titles this year, he has failed to get his hands on any trophy since triumphing at Roland Garros in June and is desperate to find some run of form before the US Open begins on Aug 28.