Fourth-seeded Albert Montanes beat Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo 6-1, 7-6 (0) in an all-Spanish first-round match at the clay-court Copa Claro on Monday. Montanes reached the semifinals here a year ago.
The two other seeded players in action Monday also advanced.
Sixth-seeded Tommy Robredo of Spain scored a 7-5, 6-2 win over Maximo Gonzalez of Argentina, while No. 8 Juan Ignacio Chela of Argentina defeated Rui Machado of Portugal 4-6, 6-2, 6-2.
In other first-round matches, Leonardo Mayer of Argentina defeated Federico del Bonis of Argentina 7-6 (1), 7-5, and Italy's Fabio Fognini beat Frederico Gil of Portugal 1-6, 6-2, 6-2.
Top-seeded Nicolas Almagro of Spain, who won the Brazil Open on Saturday, plays Tuesday, as does No. 2 Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland. David Nalbandian of Argentina is seeded third.
