Nadal, Djokvic advances at Monte Carlo Master

World number one Rafael Nadal has reached the third round at the Monte Carlo Masters, brushing off Slovenian Aljaz Bedene in straight sets.

File photo of Rafael Nadal. [Photo: AP]

Nadal said after a spell away from the game with injury, he felt comfortable getting back into his rhythm on the clay.

"This year's a little bit of a special situation for me - I have been outside of the competition almost for five months, I played Australia but nothing else and since Shanghai I didn't finish one event so it's an important one for me. It's important to start with a victory - that helps and I'm going to try to keep going. That's the most important thing for me because I need matches, I need to be on rhythm again but it's a place that I love, surface that I really like too so I'm going to try," Nadal said.

The Spaniard is searching for an 11th title at the tournament.

He will face Russia's Karen Khachanov in the next round after the 21-year-old beat Frenchman Gilles Simon.

Former champion Novak Djokovic is also into the last 16 of the tournament.　

The 30-year-old eventually came through a tight affair 7-6 , 7-5 to maintain his unbeaten record against Borna Coric.

Next up for the former two-time champion is Dominic Thiem.　

Also through to the third round is Japan's Kei Nishikori, who defeated Russian Daniil Medvedev in two sets.　

Nishikori will take on Austrian Andreas Seppi in the third round.