Nadal wins comfortably in Stockholm

STOCKHOLM, Oct 10 (Reuters) World number two Rafael Nadal got off to a flying start at the Stockholm Open today by beating Dutchman Ramon Sluter 6-4 6-2 in the first round.

The top-seeded Spaniard, playing in the tournament for the first time, needed 91 minutes to beat Sluiter. He next faces the winner of the tie between Swede Joachim Johansson and Italy's Davide Sanguinetti.

''I feel good indoors,'' said the 20-year-old, making his first tournament appearance since his quarter-final loss to Russian Mikhail Youhzny last month.

''I don't feel that rusty, I've been training really hard at home in Mallorca to prepare myself for the end of this season,'' added Nadal, who helped Spain beat Italy in the Davis Cup group playoffs two weeks ago.

Looking pumped up, Nadal broke Sluiter in the opening game of the match and never looked back.

Despite forcing the Spaniard into several tough rallies, Sluiter could not match the heavy topspin strokes of Nadal, who held his serve to clinch the first set.

He broke Sluiter twice in the second set and served it out on his first match point.

''It was a really nice atmosphere. It feels good to win some matches for the confidence,'' added Nadal.

Belgian Kristof Vliegen, the only other seeded player in action on Tuesday, disposed of Chilean Nicolas Massu 6-2 6-4.

REUTERS DH RAI0145