text: Rafa Nadal got his clay court season off to a perfect, confidence-boosting start with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Frenchman Lucas Pouille in the Monte Carlo Masters. It was a businesslike display from the world No 5. He didn’t unleash the full power of his forehand but played sensible, measured tennis and made only five unforced errors in the match. His talented 21-year-old opponent showed flashes of attacking flair, including one outrageous half-volley forehand winner, but was never able to put enough balls in court to trouble the great Spaniard. Rafael Nadal safely made his way into third round of the Monte Carlo Masters with win against Lucas Pouille . Nadal got his clay court season off to the perfect start with a straight sets victory 6-2, 6-1 . Nadal broke in the sixth game of the match to go 4-2 up, and a shanked backhand from the world No 108 handed him another break and the first set. The nine-time French Open winner began the second set in the same steady form and broke Pouille twice to serve for the match at 5-1. He arrowed a vintage forehand down the line to seal a place in the third round, where he will face either John Isner or Viktor Troicki. The Spaniard is an eight-time champion in Monte Carlo, but has not won here since 2012 and said last week that he is ‘not the favourite for anything’ at the moment. Frenchman Pouille showed glimpses of his talent but was unable to trouble Nadal . Nadal is an eight-time champion at Monte Carlo but hasn't won the tournament since 2012 . This victory was the first step in rebuilding his self-belief after disappointing losses in the quarter-finals of the Indian Wells Masters and the third round in Miami last month. It is too early to say that the king of clay is back to his best, and he will face sterner tests later in the week, but he could not have asked for a better opening display.
target: Rafa Nadal beat Lucas Pouille 6-2, 6-1 in the second round on Wednesday .
  Spaniard got his clay court season off to a perfect start with a routine win .
  World No 5 made just five unforced errors as he booked third round place .