Nadal's run started in Monte Carlo two years ago

The 20-year-old, Monaco champion in 2005 and 2006, has now won 63 matches on clay since he was beaten by Igor Andreev in Valencia in 2005.

The world number two will face Belgian Kristof Vliegen in round three.

World number four Nikolay Davydenko suffered a shock 6-4 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 defeat by Sweden's Robin Soderling.

Soderling eventually wrapped up the match against the out-of-touch third seed on his fifth match point.

Fourth seed Fernando Gonzalez also failed to advance following a 6-2 2-6 6-3 defeat to Russia's Igor Andreev.

606: DEBATE This tournament is definitely Nadal's BR

Argentine David Nalbandian, seeded ninth, retired injured when trailing German qualifier Philipp Kohlschreiber 7-5 4-1.

Meanwhile, sixth seed Novak Djokovic beat Argentina's Gaston Gaudio 6-1 3-6 6-1 to extend his winning streak to eight matches.

"I got off to a good start but in the first game of the third set I was lucky to save a break point - then everything was much easier for me," said Djokovic.

Seventh seed Ivan Ljubicic also went through but he was made work before seeing off Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (7-5) and he will meet France's Richard Gasquet in the next round.