Rafa Nadal beat Argentine qualifier Martin Alund 6-0 6-4 at the ATP Tour event in Acapulco on Thursday as he continues his rehabilitation from injury.
The Spanish world number five, playing his third tournament since returning from a seven month layoff due to a knee injury, made short work of the first set, breaking his opponent's serve three times to take it 6-0. Alund fared better in the second set, Nadal breaking serve just once in the third game to go on and win the match in an hour and 25 minutes.
Nadal was asked if he felt he was returning to full fitness.
"Not yet I need time, I really need more time. I get a bit more tired than usual when I play long points, that's not usual for me. It's a new experience but that's what happened today after seven months outside competition it's a process that I need to pass."
Nadal will now face Leonardo Mayer of Argentina in the quarter-finals as he seeks his 38th clay-court title.
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