Both players won through in straight sets against potentially tricky opponents.

Top seed Nadal defeated fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez 6-3 6-3 with a dominating performance, facing no break points and winning 67 percent of points on first serve.

“I served well for moments, much better than Indian Wells,” Nadal said after the match.

“I think I played with the right rhythm. It’s always difficult to play against Feli, because it’s not comfortable. He plays slice, he plays aggressive, he has a fantastic serve… he doesn't want to play long points.”

Third seed Roger Federer had a slightly less comfortable match against a confident Juan Monaco of Argentina with the first set going to a close tie-break that Federer managed to win 7-4, by raising his game on the important points.

Federer defeated the Argentine 7-6(4), 6-4 in one hour and 44 minutes to advance.

"It was tough playing against him," Federer told reporters.

"I thought he played well in the later stages of the first set and then also in the second...it was a good finish for me."