Wednesday 4 May 2016 08:46, UK
The in-form Rafael Nadal is through to the third round of the Madrid Open after a 6-3 6-3 victory over Andrey Kuznetsov.
The Spaniard has not been defeated since the opening round of the Miami Open in March and the former World No 1 is bidding for a third title in a row following victories at the Monte Carlo Masters and Barcelona Open.
He is bidding for a fifth career success at his home Masters event and was in fine fettle against the Russian World No 39 on Tuesday, winning in just under an hour and 20 minutes.
Solid serving was the foundation of Nadal's victory as he required just eight second serves all match and lost only five points on first serve, sending down four aces and no double faults.
One break in the first and two in the second were therefore more than enough for Nadal, who hit 22 winners and had just nine unforced errors.
He will next face American Sam Querrey or Frenchman Lucas Pouille, who play their second round match on Wednesday.
It was also a great day in Madrid for Juan Martin del Potro, as the 2009 US Open winner produced what he considered his best display since returning to the circuit after a terrible run of luck with injuries.
The former World No 4, now ranked 274 after his injury problems, beat 14th seed Dominic Thiem 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 in his first-round encounter.
Del Potro sent down 10 aces and will now face American Jack Sock, who beat Benoit Paire 2-6 6-2 7-6 (7-5) after a tight deciding set.
Del Potro said: "I have just played my best match since I came back to tennis after my surgeries. I've had a great test against a very high-level player."
There were straight sets first round wins for 13th seed Gael Monfils (beat Kevin Anderson 6-4 6-1) and 15th seed Roberto Bautista Agut (beat Santiago Giraldo 6-3 7-5).
And talented Aussie youngster Nick Kyrgios is also through to round two after beating Guido Pella 7-6 (9-7) 6-4.
