Ferrero maintains good form

Juan Carlos Ferrero's recent career revival showed no signs of abating as the fifth seed eased into the second round of the Studena Croatia Open in Umag.

Ferrero posted a 6-2 6-3 win over Belgium's Christophe Rochus to continue form which has recently seen him claim his first title in six years and reach the last eight at Wimbledon.

The Spaniard will next play Italy's Potito Starace who beat lucky loser Grega Zemlja 6-1 6-3. Meanwhile, fourth seed Jurgen Melzer had no problems progressing with a 6-3 7-5 win over Argentina's Brian Dabul.

On a busy first-round day there were also wins for Italy's Fabio Fognini, who came from behind to beat eighth seeded German Mischa Zverev, Frederico Gil and in-form Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas.

Meanwhile, home favourite and top seed Stanislas Wawrinka got his Allianz Suisse Open campaign under way in Gstaad with a 6-4 7-5 win over Argentinian qualifier Federico Del Bonnis.

Frenchman Jeremy Chardy, a recent surprise winner in Stuttgart and this week seeded five, was another winner as he eased to a 6-3 6-1 win over qualifier and compatriot Thierry Ascione.

Fourth seed Victor Hanescu needed just 51 minutes to hammer opponent Ivo Minar 6-2 6-2 while sixth seed Nicolas Kiefer played consistently to beat Jose Acasuso 7-6 (7-5) 6-2.

Other winners included Brazil's Marcos Daniel, who defeated Paul-Henri Mathieu in two tie-breaks 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (8-6), Frenchman Julien Benneteau and Spain's Ivan Navarro.