Australia's Lleyton Hewitt set up a French Open showdown with world No.2 Rafael Nadal after disposing of Jarkko Nieminen in the third round on Saturday.

Hewitt, the No.14 seed, came back from a set down to beat the 20th-seeded Finn 1-6 6-3 7-5 6-2 in two hours and 58 minutes.

Hewitt will play Nadal - who had an easy 6-1 6-3 6-2 win over fellow Spaniard Albert Montanes - in the fourth round on Monday night (AEST).

And while Hewitt had been on track to meet the two-time defending champion throughout the tournament, he was adamant he had not yet given it much thought.

"Now I'll put all my focus on Nadal and see what I can come up with," he said.

Hewitt took time to get going against the Finn, who was mixing up his pace and shots well.

Nieminen broke Hewitt in the fourth and sixth games of the match to find himself serving for the first set, which he won when Hewitt sent a return into the net.

"It just didn't feel sharp at the start," Hewitt said.

"He's a tough player though because he doesn't give you a lot of cheap points.

"He was serving well too, which was putting pressure on my service games.

"I didn't come out of the blocks fast."

Hewitt had to fight to hold his serve in the opening game of the second set and was broken on his next service game.

The Australian broke back immediately however to lock the set up at two games all and, once back on a level footing, the 26-year-old baseliner seemed to lift.

He broke Nieminen in the eighth game for a 5-3 lead and the chance to serve for the set.

Hewitt took set point with a sharp volley and then worked his opponent all over the baseline before sending down a forehand winner.

With games going on serve in the third set, Hewitt vented some frustration at himself when he sent a couple of shots long in the seventh game.

He finally broke Nieminen in the 11th game when he converted his second break point and after a tense battle, won the following game when Nieminen hit a forehand into the net to take 2-1 lead.

Hewitt broke Nieminen in the third game of the fourth set.

When he saved break point in the sixth, the South Australian was clearly pumped and he sealed the game with an ace.

Hewitt broke Nieminen again in the seventh game, allowing him to serve for the match.

The Finn was not ready to give up, but, after what seemed like a marathon game, Hewitt sealed victory when Nieminen netted a backhand.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP