The triple defending champion, bidding to join Bjorn Borg as the only man to win four successive titles, looked as if he was about to pay a heavy price for a grueling Roland Garros schedule which has seen him play four days in a row.
The second seeded Spaniard, who has now won all of his 24 matches here, had to play Tuesday and Wednesday to see off Thomaz Bellucci as torrential rain earlier in the week caused havoc with the schedule.
He was then back on court on yesterday to see off French qualifier Nicolas Devilder.
After cruising through the first two sets against fellow left-hander Nieminen, he required a lengthy medical time-out to have his blistered right foot treated and dressed.
It brought back painful memories of his Rome Masters second round exit where the injury played a large part in his defeat to Juan Carlos Ferrero.
"The foot was blistered and I suffered a little bit. But I didn't want what happened a week ago to happen again," said Nadal who admitted he was looking forward to a rest day tomorrow.
"Today I was tired. I have played three matches with three sets but for two days I was in the locker room.
"I am happy to survive. I will have a day off tomorrow and that will be very important."
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