Nadal extends claycourt record in Monte Carlo

Rafael Nadal extended his record claycourt winning streak to 63 matches with a 6-3 6-1 victory over Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela in the Monte Carlo Masters Series second round yesterday.

The double French Open champion, who also won in the principality in 2005 and 2006, wrapped up a straightforward win on his third match point.

Swede Robin Soederling caused a major upset when he beat Russian third seed Nikolay Davydenko 6-4 6-7 6-3.

Big-serving Soederling next meets Max Mirnyi of Belarus for a quarter-final spot.

World number four Davydenko lost the first set and was allowed back into the contest in the second when his opponent wasted two match points.

But Soederling finally emerged triumphant on his fifth match point.