Rafa Nadal sees off Aljaz Bedene in Monte Carlo
Wednesday 13 April 2016 20:02, UK
Rafa Nadal wasted little time winning his first match of the European clay court season, as he dispatched British No 2 Aljaz Bedene in 80 minutes at the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters.
The nine-time French Open winner won 6-3 6-3 against the world No 60 who, at least, managed to break the Spaniard's serve once in each set.
However, the eight-time Monte Carlo champion was always in charge as he seeks to claim his first ATP Tour title in more than eight months.
He won four of the opening five games of the match, before breaking serve three times in the second set.
Next up for the Spaniard will be Dominic Thiem who needed three sets to beat Japanese qualifier Taro Daniel, Thiem beat Nadal in their last meeting in the Rio Open semi-finals earlier this year on clay.
Elsehwere on Wednesday, Novak Djokovic was stunned by world No 55 Jiri Vesely to lose in three sets and another big-name casualty was Tomas Berdych who lost to Bosnia's Damir Dzumhur
World No 13 Gael Monfils advanced to the last 16 with a comfortable 6-2 6-4 win over Paolo Lorenzi and fellow Frenchman Benoit Paire set up a meeting with Andy Murray after easing past Joao Sousa in straight sets.
Also into the last 16 are David Goffin, Milos Raonic, Stan Wawrinka and Richard Gasquet.
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