MONACO — Rafael Nadal is back on the clay he loves so much, and he looks like his old self again.
Nadal, who has a mediocre 16-5 record this year, got the flawless start he was hoping for Wednesday at the Monte Carlo Masters, beating 21-year-old wild-card entry Lucas Pouille 6-2, 6-1 in the second round.
"Today I (will) go back to the hotel with a fantastic feeling because I played probably (my) best match of the year," Nadal said.
The switch to clay was also enjoyable for second-seeded Roger Federer and defending champion Stan Wawrinka, who won his maiden Masters tournament last year at the Country Club.