Spaniard makes it to second round after win in straight sets
Top seed Juan Carlos Ferrero has advanced to the second round of the Brazil Open in Costa do Sauipe after defeating Argentinean Eduardo Schwank 7-6 (7/4) 6-3.
The victory marks the Spaniard's first win of the season, having lost in the Australian Open and at Auckland.
Ferrero had to endure a lively performance from Scwank, with the No.1 seed saving seven break-points in the opening set.
However it was the 29-year-old who showed the greater composure and ended up edging the first set tie-break 7-4.
Both players gave their serve away in the second set, with neither able secure a foot-hold in the game, but the class of Ferrero began to show towards the end and he claimed the set 6-3.
Success
This is the fourth appearance in the Brazil Open for Ferrero and the world number 22 will be hoping to find the form that helped him reach the final back in 2007.
A second-round tie against Nicolas Massu now awaits after the Chilean defeated Brazilian Rogerio Dutra da Silva 6-4 3-6 6-4.
Ferrero has a good record against the 30-year-old and takes a 6-2 head-to-head record into the match, with two victories coming on the clay surface.
It was a good day for the seeded players in Brazil as Russian Igor Andreev beat Potito Starace 6-2 6-2 to make it to the second round along with Pablo Cuevas after the Uruguayan defeated Filippo Volandri 6-4 6-3.
