diff --git a/src/main/asciidoc/reference/r2dbc-core.adoc b/src/main/asciidoc/reference/r2dbc-core.adoc
index 6fdd9cb..003d4b8 100644
--- a/src/main/asciidoc/reference/r2dbc-core.adoc
+++ b/src/main/asciidoc/reference/r2dbc-core.adoc
@@ -139,8 +139,7 @@ public class R2dbcApp {
 
     DatabaseClient client = DatabaseClient.create(connectionFactory);
 
-    client.execute()
-      .sql("CREATE TABLE person" +
+    client.sql("CREATE TABLE person" +
         "(id VARCHAR(255) PRIMARY KEY," +
         "name VARCHAR(255)," +
         "age INT)")
diff --git a/src/main/asciidoc/reference/r2dbc-sql.adoc b/src/main/asciidoc/reference/r2dbc-sql.adoc
index eb824d0..8a0632f 100644
--- a/src/main/asciidoc/reference/r2dbc-sql.adoc
+++ b/src/main/asciidoc/reference/r2dbc-sql.adoc
@@ -6,8 +6,7 @@ The following example shows what you need to include for minimal but fully funct
 
 [source,java]
 ----
-Mono<Void> completion = client.execute()
-        .sql("CREATE TABLE person (id VARCHAR(255) PRIMARY KEY, name VARCHAR(255), age INTEGER);")
+Mono<Void> completion = client.sql("CREATE TABLE person (id VARCHAR(255) PRIMARY KEY, name VARCHAR(255), age INTEGER);")
         .then();
 ----
 
@@ -15,7 +14,7 @@ Mono<Void> completion = client.execute()
 It exposes intermediate, continuation, and terminal methods at each stage of the execution specification.
 The example above uses `then()` to return a completion `Publisher` that completes as soon as the query (or queries, if the SQL query contains multiple statements) completes.
 
-NOTE: `execute().sql(…)` accepts either the SQL query string or a query `Supplier<String>` to defer the actual query creation until execution.
+NOTE: `sql(…)` accepts either the SQL query string or a query `Supplier<String>` to defer the actual query creation until execution.
 
 [[r2dbc.datbaseclient.queries]]
 == Running Queries
@@ -27,8 +26,7 @@ The following example shows an `UPDATE` statement that returns the number of upd
 
 [source,java]
 ----
-Mono<Integer> affectedRows = client.execute()
-        .sql("UPDATE person SET name = 'Joe'")
+Mono<Integer> affectedRows = client.sql("UPDATE person SET name = 'Joe'")
         .fetch().rowsUpdated();
 ----
 
@@ -38,8 +36,7 @@ You might have noticed the use of `fetch()` in the previous example.
 
 [source,java]
 ----
-Mono<Map<String, Object>> first = client.execute()
-        .sql("SELECT id, name FROM person")
+Mono<Map<String, Object>> first = client.sql("SELECT id, name FROM person")
         .fetch().first();
 ----
 
@@ -55,8 +52,7 @@ You can consume data with the following operators:
 
 [source,java]
 ----
-Flux<Person> all = client.execute()
-        .sql("SELECT id, name FROM mytable")
+Flux<Person> all = client.sql("SELECT id, name FROM mytable")
         .as(Person.class)
         .fetch().all();
 ----
@@ -73,8 +69,7 @@ The following example extracts the `id` column and emits its value:
 
 [source,java]
 ----
-Flux<String> names= client.execute()
-        .sql("SELECT name FROM person")
+Flux<String> names = client.sql("SELECT name FROM person")
         .map((row, rowMetadata) -> row.get("id", String.class))
         .all();
 ----
@@ -107,8 +102,7 @@ The following example shows parameter binding for a query:
 
 [source,java]
 ----
-db.execute()
-    .sql("INSERT INTO person (id, name, age) VALUES(:id, :name, :age)")
+db.sql("INSERT INTO person (id, name, age) VALUES(:id, :name, :age)")
     .bind("id", "joe")
     .bind("name", "Joe")
     .bind("age", 34);
@@ -146,8 +140,7 @@ List<Object[]> tuples = new ArrayList<>();
 tuples.add(new Object[] {"John", 35});
 tuples.add(new Object[] {"Ann",  50});
 
-db.execute()
-    .sql("SELECT id, name, state FROM table WHERE (name, age) IN (:tuples)")
+db.sql("SELECT id, name, state FROM table WHERE (name, age) IN (:tuples)")
     .bind("tuples", tuples);
 ----
 
@@ -157,7 +150,6 @@ A simpler variant using `IN` predicates:
 
 [source,java]
 ----
-db.execute()
-    .sql("SELECT id, name, state FROM table WHERE age IN (:ages)")
+db.sql("SELECT id, name, state FROM table WHERE age IN (:ages)")
     .bind("ages", Arrays.asList(35, 50));
 ----
diff --git a/src/main/asciidoc/reference/r2dbc-transactions.adoc b/src/main/asciidoc/reference/r2dbc-transactions.adoc
index 9379b51..e1d2cfc 100644
--- a/src/main/asciidoc/reference/r2dbc-transactions.adoc
+++ b/src/main/asciidoc/reference/r2dbc-transactions.adoc
@@ -18,12 +18,12 @@ TransactionalOperator operator = TransactionalOperator.create(tm); <1>
 
 DatabaseClient client = DatabaseClient.create(connectionFactory);
 
-Mono<Void> atomicOperation = client.execute().sql("INSERT INTO person (id, name, age) VALUES(:id, :name, :age)")
+Mono<Void> atomicOperation = client.sql("INSERT INTO person (id, name, age) VALUES(:id, :name, :age)")
   .bind("id", "joe")
   .bind("name", "Joe")
   .bind("age", 34)
   .fetch().rowsUpdated()
-  .then(client.execute().sql("INSERT INTO contacts (id, name) VALUES(:id, :name)")
+  .then(client.sql("INSERT INTO contacts (id, name) VALUES(:id, :name)")
     .bind("id", "joe")
     .bind("name", "Joe")
     .fetch().rowsUpdated())
@@ -69,12 +69,12 @@ class MyService {
   @Transactional
   public Mono<Void> insertPerson() {
 
-    return client.execute().sql("INSERT INTO person (id, name, age) VALUES(:id, :name, :age)")
+    return client.sql("INSERT INTO person (id, name, age) VALUES(:id, :name, :age)")
       .bind("id", "joe")
       .bind("name", "Joe")
       .bind("age", 34)
       .fetch().rowsUpdated()
-      .then(client.execute().sql("INSERT INTO contacts (id, name) VALUES(:id, :name)")
+      .then(client.sql("INSERT INTO contacts (id, name) VALUES(:id, :name)")
         .bind("id", "joe")
         .bind("name", "Joe")
         .fetch().rowsUpdated())
diff --git a/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/r2dbc/core/DatabaseClient.java b/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/r2dbc/core/DatabaseClient.java
index 1b787e3..7205894 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/r2dbc/core/DatabaseClient.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/r2dbc/core/DatabaseClient.java
@@ -46,8 +46,41 @@ import org.springframework.data.r2dbc.support.R2dbcExceptionTranslator;
 public interface DatabaseClient {
 
 	/**
-	 * Prepare an SQL call returning a result.
+	 * Specify a static {@code sql} string to execute. Contract for specifying a SQL call along with options leading to
+	 * the exchange. The SQL string can contain either native parameter bind markers or named parameters (e.g.
+	 * {@literal :foo, :bar}) when {@link NamedParameterExpander} is enabled.
+	 *
+	 * @see NamedParameterExpander
+	 * @see DatabaseClient.Builder#namedParameters(NamedParameterExpander)
+	 * @param sql must not be {@literal null} or empty.
+	 * @return a new {@link GenericExecuteSpec}.
+	 * @see NamedParameterExpander
+	 * @see DatabaseClient.Builder#namedParameters(NamedParameterExpander)
 	 */
+	GenericExecuteSpec execute(String sql);
+
+	/**
+	 * Specify a {@link Supplier SQL supplier} that provides SQL to execute. Contract for specifying a SQL call along with
+	 * options leading to the exchange. The SQL string can contain either native parameter bind markers or named
+	 * parameters (e.g. {@literal :foo, :bar}) when {@link NamedParameterExpander} is enabled.
+	 * <p>
+	 * Accepts {@link PreparedOperation} as SQL and binding {@link Supplier}.
+	 * </p>
+	 *
+	 * @param sqlSupplier must not be {@literal null}.
+	 * @return a new {@link GenericExecuteSpec}.
+	 * @see NamedParameterExpander
+	 * @see DatabaseClient.Builder#namedParameters(NamedParameterExpander)
+	 * @see PreparedOperation
+	 */
+	GenericExecuteSpec execute(Supplier<String> sqlSupplier);
+
+	/**
+	 * Prepare an SQL call returning a result.
+	 *
+	 * @deprecated will be removed with 1.0 M3. Use {@link #execute(String)} directly.
+	 */
+	@Deprecated
 	SqlSpec execute();
 
 	/**
@@ -157,7 +190,9 @@ public interface DatabaseClient {
 	 *
 	 * @see NamedParameterExpander
 	 * @see DatabaseClient.Builder#namedParameters(NamedParameterExpander)
+	 * @deprecated use {@code DatabaseClient.execute(…)} directly.
 	 */
+	@Deprecated
 	interface SqlSpec {
 
 		/**
@@ -166,6 +201,7 @@ public interface DatabaseClient {
 		 * @param sql must not be {@literal null} or empty.
 		 * @return a new {@link GenericExecuteSpec}.
 		 */
+		@Deprecated
 		GenericExecuteSpec sql(String sql);
 
 		/**
@@ -175,6 +211,7 @@ public interface DatabaseClient {
 		 * @return a new {@link GenericExecuteSpec}.
 		 * @see PreparedOperation
 		 */
+		@Deprecated
 		GenericExecuteSpec sql(Supplier<String> sqlSupplier);
 	}
 
diff --git a/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/r2dbc/core/DefaultDatabaseClient.java b/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/r2dbc/core/DefaultDatabaseClient.java
index ce4923e..a1f1478 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/r2dbc/core/DefaultDatabaseClient.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/r2dbc/core/DefaultDatabaseClient.java
@@ -124,6 +124,22 @@ class DefaultDatabaseClient implements DatabaseClient, ConnectionAccessor {
 		return new DefaultDeleteFromSpec();
 	}
 
+	@Override
+	public GenericExecuteSpec execute(String sql) {
+
+		Assert.hasText(sql, "SQL must not be null or empty!");
+
+		return execute(() -> sql);
+	}
+
+	@Override
+	public GenericExecuteSpec execute(Supplier<String> sqlSupplier) {
+
+		Assert.notNull(sqlSupplier, "SQL Supplier must not be null!");
+
+		return createGenericExecuteSpec(sqlSupplier);
+	}
+
 	/**
 	 * Execute a callback {@link Function} within a {@link Connection} scope. The function is responsible for creating a
 	 * {@link Mono}. The connection is released after the {@link Mono} terminates (or the subscription is cancelled).
diff --git a/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/r2dbc/core/TransactionalDatabaseClient.java b/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/r2dbc/core/TransactionalDatabaseClient.java
index f0d6a35..fd3334c 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/r2dbc/core/TransactionalDatabaseClient.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/r2dbc/core/TransactionalDatabaseClient.java
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ import org.springframework.util.Assert;
  * <pre class="code">
  * Flux<Integer> transactionalFlux = databaseClient.inTransaction(db -> {
  *
- * 	return db.execute().sql("INSERT INTO person (id, firstname, lastname) VALUES(:id, :firstname, :lastname)") //
+ * 	return db.execute("INSERT INTO person (id, firstname, lastname) VALUES(:id, :firstname, :lastname)") //
  * 			.bind("id", 1) //
  * 			.bind("firstname", "Walter") //
  * 			.bind("lastname", "White") //
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ import org.springframework.util.Assert;
  * <pre class="code">
  * Mono<Void> mono = databaseClient.beginTransaction()
  * 		.then(databaseClient.execute()
- * 				.sql("INSERT INTO person (id, firstname, lastname) VALUES(:id, :firstname, :lastname)") //
+ * 				.execute("INSERT INTO person (id, firstname, lastname) VALUES(:id, :firstname, :lastname)") //
  * 				.bind("id", 1) //
  * 				.bind("firstname", "Walter") //
  * 				.bind("lastname", "White") //
diff --git a/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/r2dbc/repository/query/AbstractR2dbcQuery.java b/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/r2dbc/repository/query/AbstractR2dbcQuery.java
index 3adca38..531f1b5 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/r2dbc/repository/query/AbstractR2dbcQuery.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/r2dbc/repository/query/AbstractR2dbcQuery.java
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ public abstract class AbstractR2dbcQuery implements RepositoryQuery {
 		BindableQuery query = createQuery(parameterAccessor);
 
 		ResultProcessor processor = method.getResultProcessor().withDynamicProjection(parameterAccessor);
-		GenericExecuteSpec boundQuery = query.bind(databaseClient.execute().sql(query));
+		GenericExecuteSpec boundQuery = query.bind(databaseClient.execute(query));
 		FetchSpec<?> fetchSpec = boundQuery.as(resolveResultType(processor)).fetch();
 
 		String tableName = method.getEntityInformation().getTableName();
diff --git a/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/r2dbc/repository/support/SimpleR2dbcRepository.java b/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/r2dbc/repository/support/SimpleR2dbcRepository.java
index 70c000b..786d495 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/r2dbc/repository/support/SimpleR2dbcRepository.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/r2dbc/repository/support/SimpleR2dbcRepository.java
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ public class SimpleR2dbcRepository<T, ID> implements ReactiveCrudRepository<T, I
 
 		PreparedOperation<?> operation = mapper.getMappedObject(selectSpec);
 
-		return this.databaseClient.execute().sql(operation) //
+		return this.databaseClient.execute(operation) //
 				.as(this.entity.getJavaType()) //
 				.fetch() //
 				.one();
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ public class SimpleR2dbcRepository<T, ID> implements ReactiveCrudRepository<T, I
 
 		PreparedOperation<?> operation = mapper.getMappedObject(selectSpec);
 
-		return this.databaseClient.execute().sql(operation) //
+		return this.databaseClient.execute(operation) //
 				.map((r, md) -> r) //
 				.first() //
 				.hasElement();
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@ public class SimpleR2dbcRepository<T, ID> implements ReactiveCrudRepository<T, I
 
 			PreparedOperation<?> operation = mapper.getMappedObject(selectSpec);
 
-			return this.databaseClient.execute().sql(operation).as(this.entity.getJavaType()).fetch().all();
+			return this.databaseClient.execute(operation).as(this.entity.getJavaType()).fetch().all();
 		});
 	}
 
@@ -221,7 +221,7 @@ public class SimpleR2dbcRepository<T, ID> implements ReactiveCrudRepository<T, I
 				.from(table) //
 				.build();
 
-		return this.databaseClient.execute().sql(SqlRenderer.toString(select)) //
+		return this.databaseClient.execute(SqlRenderer.toString(select)) //
 				.map((r, md) -> r.get(0, Long.class)) //
 				.first() //
 				.defaultIfEmpty(0L);
diff --git a/src/test/java/org/springframework/data/r2dbc/core/AbstractDatabaseClientIntegrationTests.java b/src/test/java/org/springframework/data/r2dbc/core/AbstractDatabaseClientIntegrationTests.java
index 62b5ea2..55d8a53 100644
--- a/src/test/java/org/springframework/data/r2dbc/core/AbstractDatabaseClientIntegrationTests.java
+++ b/src/test/java/org/springframework/data/r2dbc/core/AbstractDatabaseClientIntegrationTests.java
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ public abstract class AbstractDatabaseClientIntegrationTests extends R2dbcIntegr
 
 		DatabaseClient databaseClient = DatabaseClient.create(connectionFactory);
 
-		databaseClient.execute().sql(getInsertIntoLegosetStatement()) //
+		databaseClient.execute(getInsertIntoLegosetStatement()) //
 				.bind("id", 42055) //
 				.bind("name", "SCHAUFELRADBAGGER") //
 				.bindNull("manual", Integer.class) //
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ public abstract class AbstractDatabaseClientIntegrationTests extends R2dbcIntegr
 
 		executeInsert();
 
-		databaseClient.execute().sql(getInsertIntoLegosetStatement()) //
+		databaseClient.execute(getInsertIntoLegosetStatement()) //
 				.bind(0, 42055) //
 				.bind(1, "SCHAUFELRADBAGGER") //
 				.bindNull(2, Integer.class) //
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ public abstract class AbstractDatabaseClientIntegrationTests extends R2dbcIntegr
 
 		DatabaseClient databaseClient = DatabaseClient.create(connectionFactory);
 
-		databaseClient.execute().sql("SELECT id, name, manual FROM legoset") //
+		databaseClient.execute("SELECT id, name, manual FROM legoset") //
 				.as(LegoSet.class) //
 				.fetch().all() //
 				.as(StepVerifier::create) //
diff --git a/src/test/java/org/springframework/data/r2dbc/core/AbstractTransactionalDatabaseClientIntegrationTests.java b/src/test/java/org/springframework/data/r2dbc/core/AbstractTransactionalDatabaseClientIntegrationTests.java
index 0c46b65..37a5f9a 100644
--- a/src/test/java/org/springframework/data/r2dbc/core/AbstractTransactionalDatabaseClientIntegrationTests.java
+++ b/src/test/java/org/springframework/data/r2dbc/core/AbstractTransactionalDatabaseClientIntegrationTests.java
@@ -145,8 +145,7 @@ public abstract class AbstractTransactionalDatabaseClientIntegrationTests extend
 		TransactionalDatabaseClient databaseClient = TransactionalDatabaseClient.create(connectionFactory);
 
 		Flux<Integer> integerFlux = databaseClient.inTransaction(db -> db //
-				.execute() //
-				.sql(getInsertIntoLegosetStatement()) //
+				.execute(getInsertIntoLegosetStatement()) //
 				.bind(0, 42055) //
 				.bind(1, "SCHAUFELRADBAGGER") //
 				.bindNull(2, Integer.class) //
@@ -165,7 +164,7 @@ public abstract class AbstractTransactionalDatabaseClientIntegrationTests extend
 
 		TransactionalDatabaseClient databaseClient = TransactionalDatabaseClient.create(connectionFactory);
 
-		Mono<Integer> integerFlux = databaseClient.execute().sql(getInsertIntoLegosetStatement()) //
+		Mono<Integer> integerFlux = databaseClient.execute(getInsertIntoLegosetStatement()) //
 				.bind(0, 42055) //
 				.bind(1, "SCHAUFELRADBAGGER") //
 				.bindNull(2, Integer.class) //
@@ -185,8 +184,7 @@ public abstract class AbstractTransactionalDatabaseClientIntegrationTests extend
 		TransactionalDatabaseClient databaseClient = TransactionalDatabaseClient.create(connectionFactory);
 
 		Flux<Long> txId = databaseClient //
-				.execute() //
-				.sql(getCurrentTransactionIdStatement()) //
+				.execute(getCurrentTransactionIdStatement()) //
 				.map((r, md) -> r.get(0, Long.class)) //
 				.all();
 
@@ -224,7 +222,7 @@ public abstract class AbstractTransactionalDatabaseClientIntegrationTests extend
 
 		Flux<Integer> integerFlux = databaseClient.inTransaction(db -> {
 
-			return db.execute().sql(getInsertIntoLegosetStatement()) //
+			return db.execute(getInsertIntoLegosetStatement()) //
 					.bind(0, 42055) //
 					.bind(1, "SCHAUFELRADBAGGER") //
 					.bindNull(2, Integer.class) //
@@ -248,8 +246,7 @@ public abstract class AbstractTransactionalDatabaseClientIntegrationTests extend
 		TransactionalOperator transactionalOperator = TransactionalOperator
 				.create(new R2dbcTransactionManager(connectionFactory), new DefaultTransactionDefinition());
 
-		Flux<Object> txId = databaseClient.execute() //
-				.sql(getCurrentTransactionIdStatement()) //
+		Flux<Object> txId = databaseClient.execute(getCurrentTransactionIdStatement()) //
 				.map((row, md) -> row.get(0)) //
 				.all();