Monte-Carlo’s favorite player is back and appears to be in fine form. Rafael Nadal wins his opener at the Masters 1000 event.

Rafael Nadal is the current world No. 1 in men’s singles tennis. With Roger Federer stepping aside, Nadal is the clearcut favorite moving forward throughout the clay court season. As the French Open is right around the corner, all eyes are on the King of Clay as he makes his return to the courts. Nadal has been dealing with ongoing injury issues as of late, but is back in action at the Monte-Carlo Masters this week. He is a ten-time champion at the event.

The only players to win the Monte-Carlo title since Nadal began his dominance at the Masters 1000 event are Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka. Djokovic, who has also been battling lingering injury issues involving his elbow, is off to a strong start at the tournament. He wins his second match, setting himself up for a challenging meeting with fifth seeded Dominic Thiem next. The two will square off in the round of 16 at the Monte-Carlo Masters. Djokovic, who cruised through his opener, had to fight harder in his second match and will face his most difficult challenge yet in the fifth seeded Thiem. As for Nadal, the top seed advances with ease.

The ten-time champion defeats Slovenian tennis player Aljaz Bedene in his Monte-Carlo opener. Top seeded Nadal takes the meeting in straight sets. It is just the second time the two have faced one another. Bedene wins his opener before facing the top seed. Nadal wins their match, going 6-1, 6-3. Up next for Nadal is Karen Khachanov of Russia on Thursday at the Masters 1000 event.

Rafael Nadal reflects on his start at the 2018 Monte-Carlo Masters, saying, “Today I had a normal, positive start for Monte Carlo.” He is the player to beat moving forward.

Fans and players alike are watching the top seed and world No. 1 this week as he returns to the courts. The 2018 ATP World Tour is sure to feature Nadal and Federer on top. Several younger players are vying to challenge them. One other veteran tennis star, Marin Cilic, wins his opener at the event. He is the second seed at the Monte-Carlo Masters. After finishing runner-up to Federer at the Australian Open, Cilic has once again made himself a top player in the sport. Men’s singles tennis is seeing a fantastic mix of veterans and young up and comers. Thiem, Alexander Zverev, and David Goffin are among the younger stars still in action this week. Check back to see how Rafael Nadal fares and how others progress at the 2018 Monte-Carlo Masters.