Tennis-Nadal thumps Baghdatis

* Nadal brushes aside Baghdatis

* Djokovic still unbeaten this year after ousting Anderson

* Murray drops second set but comes through against Simon (adds Nadal quotes, Murray-Simon result)

World number one Rafa Nadal began his quest for a third clay title in less than a month with a 6-1 6-3 drubbing of unseeded Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis in the Madrid Open second round on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old Spaniard, who won back-to-back tournaments in Monte Carlo and Barcelona last month, did not face a single break point on his serve and converted his first match point when he whipped a trademark forehand winner down the line.

The victory took his record on the red dust since 2005 to 187 wins and only six defeats and set up a last-16 meeting against Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro.

The resurgent former world number four and 2009 U.S. Open champion dismissed Croat Marin Cilic 6-3 6-0 as he continued his comeback from a wrist injury.

Nadal said he would have preferred not to meet the powerful Del Potro so early in the tournament, who has shot back up the rankings to 32 from as low as 485 at the end of January after his victory last week in Estoril.

"It's one of those matches you can win or lose and anything could happen," Nadal said.

"I will try to play at my top level, aggressively and with more intensity," the Mallorca native added.

"It's also true that I am coming into the match in good form and I will try to maintain that.

"We will see who wins but the winner will take away a lot of confidence for the rest of the tournament I think."

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/04052011/2/tennis-nadal-thumps-baghdatis-djokovic-stays-unbeaten.html