(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, file)

MONACO (AP) Back on his favorite surface, Rafael Nadal showed no lingering effects of a recent injury as he breezed into the third round of the Monte Carlo Masters on Wednesday with a 6-1, 6-1 win against Roberto Bautista Agut.

Nadal was making his season debut on clay and playing his first match since suffering a knee injury at Indian Wells one month ago , but the defending champion looked sharp from the start and secured an early break of serve for 2-0.

Aside from having to save five break points across two games - at 0-40 down in the fourth game and at 15-40 in the sixth- Nadal was otherwise untroubled by his Spanish countryman. The 17-time Grand Slam champion converted his first match point when he met his opponent's strong forehand with a crisp volley at the net.

Read More...