World men's tennis number 3 David Ferrer has booked his place in the second round of the Valencia Open with a confident 6-3 6-2 win over Gael Monfils of France.
The top seeded Spaniard was expected to be stretched by the mercurial Monfils, having lost three of the previous four meetings between the pair.
Monfils however appeared to be struggling with an injury during the second set as Ferrer pulled away, denying the Frenchman a route back into the match.
Next up for the three-time champion in Valencia is another Frenchman, Julien Benneteau.
Fourth-seeded American John Isner also sealed his place in the second round as he edged past Ernests Gulbis in 2 tight sets.
