Martin Verkerk looks in good form

The big-serving Dutchman who reached last year's French Open final, defeated the Italian 6-4, 7-6 (7/0).

He will now meet Frenchman Nicolas Escude, who ousted Stephane Bohli of Switzerland.

Spain's Rafael Nadal booked his place by beating Croatia's Ivo Karlovic.

Nadal eventually triumphed 7-5, 6-7, (5-7), 6-1 to set up a second round meeting against another Croat, Mario Ancic.

Two seeds fell earlier in the day with Spaniard Feliciano Lopez and Croat Ivan Ljubicic crashing out to Frenchman Anthony Dupuis and Slovakian Karol Beck respectively.