VIDEO Rafael Nadal Highlights: King Of Clay Advances At 2016 Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters

On the comeback trail, No. 5 Rafael Nadal advanced to the third round of the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters on Wednesday with a straight-sets victory over No. 60 Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia, 6-3 6-3.

Nadal is looking to win the tournament for a ninth time, though he has failed to capture silverware in recent years. The Spaniard took home the title every year from 2005-2012, but hasn’t won it in four years. He last reached the finals in 2013, losing to Novak Djokovic.

#Nadal d Bedene 6-3 6-3.

Match Rally Length
0-4 shots 50%
5-8 36%
9 14%

Rafa won rallies of 9 shots 11-3. pic.twitter.com/GAqUnI4QGx
— Craig O'Shannessy (@BrainGameTennis) April 13, 2016

Having returned to his favorite surface, the “King of Clay” is looking for his first tournament win of 2016. He was ousted by Djokovic at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open to start the year, but he hasn’t advanced beyond the semifinals of any tournament since. Just prior to Monte Carlo, Nadal lost to No.99 Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia-Hercegovina in the second round at the Miami Open.

Up next for Nadal is Dominic Thiem, who needed three sets to defeat Taro Daniel. Thiem ranks 14th in the world.