Rafael Nadal has said that he is feeling more at ease now that he is back on tour and winning matches.
The Spaniard won through to the quarter-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters with a straightforward 6-4 6-2 victory over Philipp Kohlscreiber.
He said that just competing was "good news" for him, but added that it is an extra special feeling when he is racking up the victories.
"I feel more relaxed, yes," Nadal told reporters. "I had some uneasy moments during the past year.
"Now I'm back on the tour. Just being here is good news and winning matches, I say every day, but winning every match is very important to me today.
"Every time I have the chance to go on court and play well, feel competitive, is a really good feeling."
The world number five, who has won this tournament in each of the last eight years, will play Grigor Dimitrov in the last eight.
