Rafael Nadal is upbeat heading into the Barcelona Open after his run to the Monte Carlo Masters semi-finals.

The Spaniard was well-beaten by world number one Novak Djokovic in the last-four clash on Saturday, going down 6-3 6-3 to the Serbian.

Nadal returns to a happy hunting ground in Barcelona, where he is an eight-time champion.

The 28-year-old is the second seed and will face either Italian Paolo Lorenzi or Nicolas Almagro, who beat Nadal in the quarter-finals last year.

"For me, [Monte Carlo] is a very positive week. The most positive week of the season, without any doubt," Nadal said after his loss to Djokovic.

"I think, if I am able to keep doing that in the next tournament in Barcelona, and I have a tough draw, I will say that I am very well again.

"The way that I played yesterday and for moments today is the way that I want to play. Just with more matches playing like this, I will be confident enough to play.

"That level will not be the exception; it will be the normal thing. That is the thing that I need to make happen."

There are four top-10 players in the field at the ATP 500 tournament, including defending champion and top seed Kei Nishikori.

Barcelona is Nishikori's first clay-court event of the season, and the Japanese world number four will meet either Pablo Carreno Busta or Teymuraz Gabashvili in the second round.

David Ferrer and Marin Cilic are also in the draw.

Ferrer could face fellow Spaniard Albert Montanes in the second round, while Cilic takes on either Dominic Thiem or Victor Estrella Burgos.

Top-20 players Feliciano Lopez, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Roberto Bautista Agut, Ernests Gulbis and Tommy Robredo are also playing.

Australian teenager Nick Kyrgios is the 16th seed, having received a wildcard to make his return from an ankle injury.