He's a different player on the dirt.
Rafael Nadal, who has won just one tournament since last year's French Open (the Pacific Life Open on hardcourt) extended his winning streak on clay to 63 matches Wednesday after beating Juan Ignacio Chela 6-3, 6-1 in the second round of the Monte Carlo Masters.
Nadal, the two-time defending French Open champion, is seeking his third straght Monte Carlo title. He has not lost on clay since Igor Andreev of Russia beat him in the quarterfinals of the Valencia Open in April 2005.
"It was very nice to come back here and play the first match like this," Nadal said. "I felt very well, very comfortable on court. I could have served a little bit better, but for the rest I'm very happy."
The second-seeded Spaniard next plays Kristof Vliegen of Belgium -- a repeat of last year's third round match, which Nadal won in straight sets.