Female top seed Ana Ivanovic also advanced to the fourth round with ease dispatching Tathiana Garbin 6-3 6-0.

Nadal took advantage of Young's early nerves to romp away with the first set, though the 18-year-old provided stiffer resistance in the second.

But the American was unable to capitalise on his one break point at 3-5 down and Nadal served out for the match.

"All matches are important for me, but especially here where I am defending my title because last year I played my best tournament here," he said.

"It's going to be important for me to serve well against Tsonga. He's strong in his serve.

"From the baseline I must try to play a little bit more aggressive than in Australia."

French eighth seed Richard Gasquet blasted past Juan Ignacio Chela 6-2 6-1 to set up a meeting with ninth seed, American James Blake, who beat Carlos Moya 6-3 6-4.