Rafael Nadal is not brimming with confidence ahead of his opening Monte-Carlo Masters match on Wednesday ©Getty Images

Rafael Nadal offered a low-key appraisal today of his chances for a record-extending 12th Monte Carlo Masters title as he prepares to return from his latest injury lay-off.

The 32-year-old Spaniard, who withdrew from last month's semi-final against Roger Federer at Indian Wells because of an injury to his right knee, was downbeat on his chances as he prepares to face Roberto Bautista Agut in the second round start on Wednesday (April 17).

"I can’t give you any feeling, it's been a rough year and a half for me," Nadal said.

Nadal is seeded second behind Novak Djokovic, preparing to contest the French Open, which would be his fourth straight Grand Slam title.

Agut won the right to play Spain’s multiple Grand Slam winner by beating Australian John Millman 3-6, 6-1, 6-1 in this Association of Tennis Professionals Masters 1000 event. 

Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber earned the right to play top seed Novak Djokovic on Wednesday by winning his first round match at the Monte-Carlo Masters today ©Getty Images
Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber earned the right to play top seed Novak Djokovic on Wednesday by winning his first round match at the Monte-Carlo Masters today ©Getty Images

Djokovic’s first opponent on Wednesday turned out to be Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber, who beat Taro Daniel of Japan 6-1, 6-3.

Denis Shapovalov's 20th birthday celebrations fell flat as he lost 5-7, 6-3, 6-1 to German Jan-Lennard Struff.

The 15th seed has yet to claim a win in the Principality after losing in the first round a year ago to Tsitsipas.

Russian 10th seed Daniil Medvedev advanced easily over Portugal's Joao Sousa 6-1, 6-1, but Hungarian Marton Fucsovics put out Nikolaz Basilashvili, the 12th seed, 7-5, 3-6, 6-1.