One break in each set was enough for Nadal as he overcame some impressive variety and touch shown by Paire early on to break when the world number 37 was serving at 2-3 down in the opening set, before eventually sealing it 6-3.
Paire had his only look at a break point on the Nadal serve early in the second set but couldn’t take advantage, and in typical Nadal fashion he upped the pressure to break at 4-4 before serving out to book his place in the last 16.
Nadal insisted that it would be “arrogant” to consider himself the title favourite following the shock exit of world number one Novak Djokovic at the hands of Grigour Dmitrov on Tuesday.
“I’m not looking beyond the next round, it would be arrogant to do that so I am not going to do it,” said Nadal.
The seven-time French Open champion has compiled a 27-2 match record this year after missing seven months of with a knee injury.