Rafael Nadal claimed his 69th win at the Monte-Carlo Country Club on Wednesday as he defeated Roberto Bautista Agut 6-1, 6-1 in the second round of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters.

The 11-time champion showed no sign of the knee problems which forced him to quit ahead of an Indian Wells semi-final against Roger Federer a month ago.

The 32-year-old had expressed pre-tournament caution regarding the health of his knee — a worry which appeared to be groundless after a 76-minute masterclass.

Rafa collected the opening five games of the afternoon in 17 minutes as he set the tone for another dominant display in the principality.

He was equally in control during the second set, where he saved three break points in the fourth game and two more in the sixth.

“It was a great start, it’s good to be back here,” the 17-time Grand Slam winner said.

“I’ve had some great moments on this court, I really enjoy playing here. It’s not easy to come back from injury, I had to do a lot of mental work as well to be prepared. I tried to play solid, dominate with my forehand when I had the chance.”

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Maria Francisca Perello, la fiancée de Rafael Nadal, durant la rencontre Rafael Nadal contre Roberto Bautista Agut sur le court Rainier III durant le Rolex Monte Carlo Masters 2019 ŕ Roquebrune Cap Martin, le 17 avril 2019. Rafael Nadal s’est qualifié en battant son compatriote 6-1 / 6-1. © Bruno Bebert / Bestimage Nadal vs Agut (6-1 / 6-1)during Monte Carlo Rolex Masters 2019 at Roquebrune Cap Martin on april 17th 209, Image: 426570058, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Profimedia, Bestimages

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Maribel Nadal, Ana Maria Parera, la mčre de Rafael Nadal et Maria Francisca Perello, la fiancée de Rafael Nadal, durant la rencontre Rafael Nadal contre Roberto Bautista Agut sur le court Rainier III durant le Rolex Monte Carlo Masters 2019 ŕ Roquebrune Cap Martin, le 17 avril 2019. Rafael Nadal s’est qualifié en battant son compatriote 6-1 / 6-1. © Bruno Bebert / Bestimage Nadal vs Agut (6-1 / 6-1)during Monte Carlo Rolex Masters 2019 at Roquebrune Cap Martin on april 17th 209, Image: 426570087, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Profimedia, Bestimages

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Maribel Nadal, Ana Maria Parera, la mčre de Rafael Nadal et Maria Francisca Perello, la fiancée de Rafael Nadal, durant la rencontre Rafael Nadal contre Roberto Bautista Agut sur le court Rainier III durant le Rolex Monte Carlo Masters 2019 ŕ Roquebrune Cap Martin, le 17 avril 2019. Rafael Nadal s’est qualifié en battant son compatriote 6-1 / 6-1. © Bruno Bebert / Bestimage Nadal vs Agut (6-1 / 6-1)during Monte Carlo Rolex Masters 2019 at Roquebrune Cap Martin on april 17th 209, Image: 426570116, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Profimedia, Bestimages

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

La clan Nadal avec Ana Maria Parera, la mčre de Rafael Nadal, et Maria Francisca Perello, la fiancée de Rafael Nadal, durant la rencontre Rafael Nadal contre Roberto Bautista Agut sur le court Rainier III durant le Rolex Monte Carlo Masters 2019 ŕ Roquebrune Cap Martin, le 17 avril 2019. Rafael Nadal s’est qualifié en battant son compatriote 6-1 / 6-1. © Bruno Bebert / Bestimage Nadal vs Agut (6-1 / 6-1)during Monte Carlo Rolex Masters 2019 at Roquebrune Cap Martin on april 17th 209, Image: 426570108, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Profimedia, Bestimages

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Maria Francisca Perello, la fiancée de Rafael Nadal, durant la rencontre Rafael Nadal contre Roberto Bautista Agut sur le court Rainier III durant le Rolex Monte Carlo Masters 2019 ŕ Roquebrune Cap Martin, le 17 avril 2019. Rafael Nadal s’est qualifié en battant son compatriote 6-1 / 6-1. © Bruno Bebert / Bestimage Nadal vs Agut (6-1 / 6-1)during Monte Carlo Rolex Masters 2019 at Roquebrune Cap Martin on april 17th 209, Image: 426570064, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Profimedia, Bestimages

Maria Francisca Perello, la fiancée de Rafael Nadal, durant la rencontre Rafael Nadal contre Roberto Bautista Agut sur le court Rainier III durant le Rolex Monte Carlo Masters 2019 ŕ Roquebrune Cap Martin, le 17 avril 2019. Rafael Nadal s’est qualifié en battant son compatriote 6-1 / 6-1. © Bruno Bebert / Bestimage Nadal vs Agut (6-1 / 6-1)during Monte Carlo Rolex Masters 2019 at Roquebrune Cap Martin on april 17th 209, Image: 426570061, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Profimedia, Bestimages

Maria Francisca Perello, la fiancée de Rafael Nadal, durant la rencontre Rafael Nadal contre Roberto Bautista Agut sur le court Rainier III durant le Rolex Monte Carlo Masters 2019 ŕ Roquebrune Cap Martin, le 17 avril 2019. Rafael Nadal s’est qualifié en battant son compatriote 6-1 / 6-1. © Bruno Bebert / Bestimage Nadal vs Agut (6-1 / 6-1)during Monte Carlo Rolex Masters 2019 at Roquebrune Cap Martin on april 17th 209, Image: 426570102, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Profimedia, Bestimages

Maria Francisca Perello, la fiancée de Rafael Nadal, durant la rencontre Rafael Nadal contre Roberto Bautista Agut sur le court Rainier III durant le Rolex Monte Carlo Masters 2019 ŕ Roquebrune Cap Martin, le 17 avril 2019. Rafael Nadal s’est qualifié en battant son compatriote 6-1 / 6-1. © Bruno Bebert / Bestimage Nadal vs Agut (6-1 / 6-1)during Monte Carlo Rolex Masters 2019 at Roquebrune Cap Martin on april 17th 209, Image: 426570098, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Profimedia, Bestimages

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Source: AFP