( CNN ) -- Rafael Nadal may have lost his coveted Monaco crown on Sunday but that defeat was soon forgotten as the Spaniard set about another title defense in Barcelona . The 26-year-old `` King of Clay '' began his hunt for an eighth Barcelona Open title with a swift victory over Carlos Berlocq . Nadal broke the world No . 63 four times on his way to a straightforward 6-4 6-2 win to cruise into the third round , extending his record to 2-0 against the Argentine -- who he also beat in the second tournament of his comeback from knee injury in Brasil two months ago . The red clay of Barcelona is another happy hunting ground for Nadal . He has won 35 straight matches at the event ; his last defeat was handed out by fellow Spaniard Alex Corretja 10 years ago . World No . 1 Novak Djokovic ended Nadal 's long unbeaten run at his favorite event in Monte Carlo when he beat him in the final of the Monte Carlo Masters -- a tournament he had won eight years in a row . Despite his dominance in Barcelona , the world No . 5 was not given top status at the event , instead compatriot David Ferrer was named as the No . 1 seed . But his top billing proved to be a curse as the world No . 4 crashed out 7-5 3-6 6-1 in the second round to Russian Dmitry Tursunov . `` I did not feel well on the court today , '' Ferrer , who is a four-time runner-up in Barcelona , told reporters . `` It was the worst match that I 've played in the last couple of years . `` I lost the third set too fast . He was better and more aggressive . I just did not feel good . '' Ferrer was playing for the first time since injuring his thigh in the final of the Miami Masters , which he lost to British world No . 3 Andy Murray . The Barcelona Open presents another opportunity for Nadal , and his fellow clay-court specialists , to tune-up for the French Open which begins on May 26 . Nadal , who has a 271-21 record on clay , is aiming to extend his record number of titles at Roland Garros , the second grand slam of the year , to eight in 2013 . `` It was not very comfortable and it affected my game , '' Nadal told reporters ahead of his third-round tie with Frenchman Benoit Paire . `` I do n't want to talk about being a title favorite , I 'm just very happy to be playing well and into the third round . I 'm not looking ahead . ''
Rafael Nadal continues his Barcelona Open winning streak in first match . The Spaniard will face world number Spanish top seed David Ferrer suffers shock defeat to Russian Dmitry Tursunov . Barcelona presents another chance to warm up for the French Open in May .