Rafael Nadal to begin Barcelona tilt against Carlos Berlocq
Nadal has won seven out of the last eight editions in Barcelona, missing out only in 2010 when he did not play due to injury.
Rafael Nadal will start his campaign at the Barcelona Open against Carlos Berlocq after the Argentine beat Daniel Gimeno-Traver 7-5, 6-4 on Tuesday to earn the right to face the second seed.
Nadal, the world number five who stands behind compatriot and three-time losing finalist David Ferrer in the seedings at the Real Club de Tenis, insists his focus is on this tournament and not his preparation for next month's French Open at Roland Garros.
Having lost for the first time in 10 years at Monte Carlo on Sunday, in a final reverse against world number one Novak Djokovic, Nadal had said he needs to improve his physical condition ahead of a tilt at an eighth French Open crown.
But even so, his focus right now is merely on winning an eighth title in Catalonia.
"I play Barcelona, that's my schedule. Roland Garros is very far (away)," said the 26-year-old.
"I will try my best now to play a very good week in Barcelona, it's a tournament that I love.
"We have Barcelona, then we have Madrid, then we have Rome. I have enough time (before the French Open)."
Nadal defeated the 63rd-ranked Berlocq when they met in the Sao Paolo quarter-finals in February as the former world number one made his return to tennis after seven months out with knee injuries.
Nadal has won seven out of the last eight editions in Barcelona, missing out only in 2010 when he did not play due to injury.
In other matches, Australian Bernard Tomic beat French qualifier Kenny De Schepper 6-4, 4-6, 6-2.
It took the world number 47 just under two hours to advance to the second round as he put his opponent under pressure with 18 break points - 14 of which were saved.
Eduardo Roger-Vasselin of France defeated Czech Jan Hajek 6-2, 6-7 (1-7), 6-2.