Kei Nishikori has advanced into round three of the Monte Carlo Masters with a 6-4 6-2 victory over Paul-Henri Mathieu.

The match remained on serve in the opening set at 3-3, before Nishikori broke the Frenchman with a wonderful forehand to move 4-3, and quickly 5-3 ahead in the set.

Mathieu never recovered in the opening set, allowing his opponent to move 6-4 ahead in the match.

Nishikori began to display his range of shots in the second set, quickly breaking twice to move 4-0 ahead in the match.

Mathieu did respond to cut the score to 5-2 late in the set, but Nishikori secured the win on serve.