ACAPULCO, Mexico (AP) Fifth-seeded Albert Montanes of Spain defeated countryman Daniel Gimeno-Traver 6-2, 6-1 on Tuesday to reach the second round of the clay court Mexican Open.
Montanes was the runner-up in this event in 2005 and will have to fight off tough opposition to get to the final again.
Defending champion and top-seeded David Ferrer reached the second round on Monday. In late matches on Tuesday, No. 2 Fernando Verdasco of Spain faced Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil and No. 3 Nicolas Almagro - also of Spain - was up against Victor Hanescu of Romania. Almagro is going for his third straight tournament title after winning the past two weeks in Brazil and Argentina.
Another Spaniard, Ivan Navarro, also advanced by beating Manuel Sanchez, Mexico, 6-1, 3-6, 6-1.