And as Kuznetsov failed to create a single break-point throughout, Nadal breezed through the tie 6-3 6-3 in an hour and 20 minutes to set up a third-round showdown against either Sam Querrey or qualifier Lucas Pouille.
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Already in 2016 he has lifted the Monte Carlo Masters and Barcelona Open titles for a ninth time, and his convincing win over Kuznetsov suggests he could add to his Madrid record.
However, he could face Murray in the last four in a repeat of last year’s final.
Nadal endured a modest season after struggling with injuries a year ago.
Among those impressed is fellow countrymen, Feliciano Lopez who believes that winning back to back titles and Madrid and Rome to look forward to will provide a good chance for Nadal to be ready for the French Open as he aims for a 10th title at Roland Garros. He struck 22 winners compared to only nine unforced errors.
World number one Novak Djokovic begins his campaign after a three-year absence in Madrid on Wednesday against Borna Coric.
“I have just played my best match since I came back to tennis after my surgeries”, Del Potro assessed. “I’ve had a great test against a very high-level player”.
Del Potro will face American Jack Sock, who edged out Frenchman Benoit Paire in three sets.
Controversial Australian Nick Kyrgios set up an enticing second-round clash with fourth seed Stanislas Wawrinka as he battled past Argentine Guido Pella 7-6 (9/7), 6-4.
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In the women’s draw, sixth-seeded Simona Halep of Romania routed Karin Knapp of Itay 6-1, 6-1, while eighth-seeded Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro beat Sabine Lisicki of Germany 6-3, 6-2.
