Spain’s Rafa Nadal has won in Monte Carlo Masters

Rafael Nadal has won his 43^rd consecutive victory at the Monte-Carlo Masters after a month off to rest his problem knee injury.  He has won this tournament every year since 2005.

Nadal’s opponent, Marinko Matosevic, had beaten Fernando Verdasco in the previous round and Nadal became the only Spaniard to remain in the draw following five Spanish losses.

Tenth seed Nicolas Almagro lost to Jürgen Melzer while Albert Montañes was defeated by Stanislas Wawrinka.

Marcel Granollers fought fourth seed Tomas Berdych but lost in straight sets. Roberto Bautista, who dispatched world 13 Gilles Simon in round one, was bettered by Florian Mayer and Fabio Fognini beat Albert Ramos

Next opponent for Nadal is 16th seed Philipp Kohlschreiber, who beat Pablo Andujar in round two.