Nadal suffered defeat in the doubles on Monday

The Spaniard, who had thigh, knee and ankle injuries last year, is seeking to prove his fitness ahead of the Australian Open starting on 14 January.

"In the end I had to play better to finish the match," he said after the 6-2 6-4 win. "Mathieu fought a lot."

Second seed Marcos Baghdatis suffered a 6-3 6-4 defeat by Robin Haase.

Cypriot Baghdatis, finalist at the 2006 Australian Open, failed to find his rhythm against the unseeded Dutchman who used his height advantage, a stunning forehand and drop shot to great effect.

"I don't know what to say," said Baghdatis. "I tried things that didn't work. He was serving very well. He had nothing to lose and he was confident."

Nadal, who last November played down suggestions that his career was in doubt because of a foot injury, had few problems in the opening set against a player featuring in the main draw of an ATP event for the sixth time.

But the 22-year-old Montcourt provided some late resistant and saved four match points when the world number two was serving at 5-2.

Nadal, however, regained his composure and will now take on qualifier Rajeev Ram in round two.