( CNN ) -- On a record attendance day at the Monte Carlo Masters tennis event , the king of clay held court . World No . 1 Rafael Nadal began his quest for a record-extending ninth triumph at the principality tournament with a 6-4 6-1 victory over Russia 's Teymuraz Gabashvili . A capacity crowd of 14,600 fans packed into the Monte Carlo Country Club , where Nadal won eight successive titles between 2005 and 2012 . His winning run was snapped 12 months ago by rival Novak Djokovic , who opened his campaign Tuesday with a defeat of Albert Montanes . Nadal came within a point of going a double break down in Wednesday 's opening set , but he recovered to wrap up victory in resounding fashion . `` It was very important that point , 3-1 , break point for him , '' Nadal told the ATP Tour 's official website . `` I saved it with one good shot and one good volley . `` After that I felt that was the time to try to push a little bit more and increase the rhythm and the intensity . I played a good game to get the break back . I felt that I had the match a little bit more under control . '' Next for Nadal is a third-round tie with Italy 's Andreas Seppi , who emerged victorious from a marathon encounter with Spaniard Pablo Andujar that lasted two hours and 48 minutes . Also off to a winning start was Roger Federer , who took a wildcard to appear at the tournament for the first time since 2011 . The 17-time grand slam champion effortlessly dispatched Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic 6-1 6-2 , and will next face Czech Lukas Rosol . `` I 'm very happy now that I 'm doing well , '' said fourth seed Federer , a three-time runner-up in Monte Carlo . `` But , of course , I also expect this from myself . So I 'm just trying to keep up that rhythm . I feel free physically and in my mind . I 'm eager to play , I 'm eager to practice . `` I want to play good points . I 'm no longer afraid that the rally will last too long . This was getting in the way of my game last year , whereas now I can really enjoy myself . '' Federer has been usurped as Switzerland 's top-ranked player by Stanislas Wawrinka , who won the first grand slam title of his career at January 's Australian Open . The world No . 3 wasted no time in his match against Croatia 's Marin Cilic , sealing a 6-0 6-2 triumph in just 46 minutes . `` I practiced perfectly before , '' said the 29-year-old , who next faces Spanish 15th seed Nicolas Almagro . `` I expected a more difficult or more complicated first round against him . `` But I was able , as I said , to practice well before . I felt good on the court . I know that physically if I feel good , then I am able to put a lot of pressure on the opponent . `` Now the clay court season is just starting and I 'm always very pumped up for this particular moment of the year . I 'm aware of my strengths , and I know that I must practice a lot and prepare well . ''
Rafael Nadal beats Teymuraz Gabashvili 6 - 4 6 - 1 at Monte Carlo Masters . The world No . 1 is bidding for a ninth career title at the Monte Carlo Country Club . 17-time grand slam champion Roger Federer beats Radek Stepanek . Australian Open champion Stanislas Wawrinka also victorious on Wednesday .