Rafael Nadal finally got his French Open title defence under way with a 7-5 6-3 6-1 win over Brazilian qualifier Thomaz Bellucci.

The world number two, who was on court for the third day running thanks to the Paris rain, faced a game opponent in 20-year-old Bellucci.

The Brazilian pegged Nadal back from 5-3 in the first set but was eventually outclassed by the three-times champion.

Nadal meets French wildcard Nicolas Devilder in the second round.

Elsewhere, Australian Lleyton Hewitt returned from a six-week injury break to thrash France's Nicolas Mahut 6-4 6-2 6-4.