World number one Roger Federer [Images] joined Marat Safin [Images], Rafael Nadal [Images] and Guillermo Coria in the third round of the Monte Carlo Masters on Wednesday as the main title contenders flexed their muscles.

The unstoppable Federer went through his full repertoire of shot-making during a useful 59-minute workout against tricky Spaniard Albert Montanes, winning 6-3, 6-4.

"It was a solid performance," said Federer. "It's always a test playing against a Spanish player on clay, and you could see the difference from yesterday (against Greg Rusedski [Images])."

There was never any doubt that the Swiss top seed would extend his winning streak to 25 matches, although he suffered a blip at 5-2 in the second set when he dropped his serve.

However he made no mistake at 5-4 and he now looks forward to a meeting with Chilean Fernando Gonzales.

Earlier on a sun-drenched Court Central the 18-year-old Nadal demolished Xavier Malisse 6-0, 6-3, dropping just nine points in a first set lasting 23 minutes.

Safin found it just as easy, beating Frenchman Cyril Saulnier 6-3 6-1, while defending champion Coria eased past French qualifier Thierry Ascione 6-2, 6-1.

Nadal's was arguably the most impressive performance.

The 18-year-old, winner of two claycourt titles this year, unleashed a ferocious onslaught on a stunned Malisse who appeared powerless to fend off the left-handed Spaniard.

Malisse hung on grimly in the second set but his resistance crumbled when he was broken at 2-3 after Nadal showed incredible reflexes to win a close-quarters volleying exchange.

Nadal closed out the match in exactly an hour to match his progress to the third round here two years ago.

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On that occasion he came through qualifying before announcing himself on the world stage by defeating then French Open champion Albert Costa.

"I have very good memories here," said the 11th seed, who has emerged as a serious contender for this year's French Open. "Now I want to go further than the third round.

"I played very well in the first set, a bit more aggressive than yesterday, which was my intention."

Second seed Safin outclassed Saulnier without touching top gear, winning in just over an hour to set up a tasty third-round clash with former French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero who beat 16th seed Jiri Novak 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.

"That was better than yesterday and hopefully I'll continue improving," said the Russian, who has never reached the final at what is his local club.

"It takes a lot of points, a lot of days to get your rhythm on clay. It's still too early to think about winning it."

Sixth seed Coria, playing his first claycourt tournament of the year, is clearly happy to be back on his favourite surface and fully fit after last year's shoulder surgery.

"Today I felt a bit like last year," said the Argentine. "I was very happy with my physical condition and I'm very happy with my game."

French hopes were raised by 18-year-old Richard Gasquet's impressive 7-5, 6-1 victory over Spaniard Felix Mantilla.

The former junior world number one will face 10th seed Nikolay Davydenko in the third round after the Russian beat Spaniard Albert Costa in straight sets.

Italy's [Images] Filippo Volandri produced the upset of the second round, knocking out gritty Argentine baseliner Guillermo Canas, the ninth seed, 6-4, 2-6, 6-3.

Two other Argentines made it through to the last 16. French Open champion Gaston Gaudio beat Nicolas Kiefer 7-5 5-2 ret, while Mariano Puerta followed up his defeat of Carlos Moya [Images] with a 6-2, 6-1 defeat of Germany's [Images] Florian Mayer.

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