Rafael Nadal returns to winning ways on clay with Rome victory over John Isner

Rafael Nadal bounced back from his Madrid Open defeat to Carlos Alcarez to get the better of John Isner in straight sets at the Italian Open (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini/PA)

Clay-court king Rafael Nadal got back to winning ways on the surface with a routine victory over John Isner to progress into the last-16 of the Italian Open.

Nadal lost to teenager Carlos Alcaraz in Madrid last week but ensured he bounced back to continue his record of never suffering back-to-back defeats on clay with a 6-3 6-1 triumph to begin his pursuit of an 11th title in Rome.