Rafael Nadal began his quest for an unprecedented seventh consecutive title at the Monte Carlo Masters by storming past Finn Jarkko Nieminen 6-2, 6-2 here yesterday.

Nadal, Spain's top-seeded king of clay, who lost his only match in the principality in 2003, spent just 69 minutes in putting out Nieminen, who dropped the first ten points of the one-way contest. "It's the first match on clay, so it's an important victory for me," said Nadal.

"But we will see. I didn't practise perfect last week, I need matches. Today was a positive start, for sure it was a good victory."

Fourth-seeded compatriot David Ferrer beat fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez in a quick 6-2, 6-0 as he joined Nadal in the third round. In another all-Spanish clash, Tommy Robredo knocked out sixth seed Fernando Verdasco 6-4, 6-3.

Murray hurray
Later, third seed Andy Murray earned a reassuring win ufffd his first victory since January 30 in Australia ufffd as he beat Czech Radek Stepanek 6-1, 6-4, ending a career-nadir run of four straight losses.

"I really went for it in this match, this is a challenging surface for me," said the Scot.