Nadal beats Bedene to reach 3rd round at Monte Carlo Masters

Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts during his match of the Monte Carlo Tennis Masters tournament against Jiri Vesely of Czech Republic, in Monaco, Wednesday, April 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau) (The Associated Press)

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Jiri Vesely of Czech Republic reacts during his match of the Monte Carlo Tennis Masters tournament against Novak Djokovic of Serbia, in Monaco, Wednesday, April 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau) (The Associated Press)

Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a return to Jiri Vesely of Czech Republic during their match at the Monte Carlo Tennis Masters tournament in Monaco, Wednesday, April 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau) (The Associated Press)

MONACO – Eight-time champion Rafael Nadal dropped serve twice and still beat Aljaz Bedene of Britain 6-3, 6-3 in the second round of the Monte Carlo Masters on Wednesday.

Nadal was broken for a second time when serving for the match at 5-3, but the Spaniard broke straight back to seal victory.

The fifth-seeded Nadal, who won the last of his titles here in 2012, next faces 12th-seeded Dominic Thiem of Austria.

No. 4 Stan Wawrinka, the 2014 champion, also advanced past Philipp Kohlschreiber 7-6 (2), 7-5 into the third round.

But No. 6 Tomas Berdych, last year's runner-up, squandered eight break-point chances in losing to 99th-ranked Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia 6-4, 6-7 (1), 6-3.

Later, top-ranked Novak Djokovic began his title defense against Czech Jiri Vesely.