Rafael Nadal has started his bid to win a ninth Monte Carlo Masters title with a comfortable straight-sets victory over Lucas Pouille in the second round.

Pouille failed to convert a break point midway through the opening set and he was made to pay as Nadal fought back to break twice before clinching it 6-2.

The Spaniard was even more ruthless in the second, breaking twice to secure his spot in the next round with a 6-2 6-1 triumph.

Nadal will now meet either 15th seed John Isner or Viktor Troicki for a spot in the quarter-finals of the tournament.