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Rafael Nadal, David Ferrer roll to first-round Rio Open victories

RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb. 18 (UPI) -- Top-ranked Rafael Nadal and second-seeded David Ferrer each posted convincing first-round victories Tuesday on Day 2 of the Rio Open in Brazil.

Spain's Nadal breezed past countryman Daniel Gimeno-Traver 6-3, 7-5 at Jockey Club Brasileiro.

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Meanwhile, Ferrer continued to roll two days after claiming the Copa Claro in Buenos Aires with a 6-2, 6-3 decision over Frenchman Jeremy Chardy.

No. 3 seed Fabio Fognini of Italy also advanced, shaking off Slovenian qualifier Aljaz Bedene 7-6 (7-5), 0-6, 6-1.

Fourth-seeded Tommy Robredo had an easier time of it, dispatching fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta 7-6 (7-5), 6-3, but fifth-seeded Nicolas Almagro of Spain was a surprise loser, falling to Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov 2-6, 6-3, 6-0.

No. 6 seed Marcel Granollers also went down in an upset, dropping a 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 verdict to Portugal's Joao Sousa.

Also Tuesday, seventh-seeded Juan Monaco dominated fellow Argentine Horacio Zeballos 6-3, 6-1, and No. 8 Spaniard Pablo Andujar downed Germany's Julian Reister 6-4, 6-3.

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Spaniards Albert Ramos and Albert Montanes and Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas also advanced.

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