• Barcelona Open

Ferrero makes winning return after injury

Juan Carlos Ferrero made a winning return following a lengthy spell on the sidelines © Getty Images

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Former world No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero marked his comeback from injury with a morale-boosting 6-4 6-2 triumph over Belgian Xavier Malisse to reach the second round of the Barcelona Open.

The Spaniard has been out of action since a third-round defeat at the US Open last September, and he underwent wrist and knee surgery in early October.

However, the 31-year-old, who has seen his world ranking slip to 77, showed he is far from finished with a polished display against Malisse. Ferrero carved out nine break points and, although he could only convert four, he raced to a comprehensive victory in 81 minutes. Ferrero, who won the title in 2001, goes on to play Mischa Zverez, who replaced the injured Andy Murray in the main draw.

Nikolay Davydenko caused a stir by beating tenth seed Alexandr Dolgopolov, progressing in straight sets. Both players lost their serve on more than one occasion in the opening set but Davydenko got the decisive break to edge it 6-4. The second set proved a far cagier affair - although Dolgopolov did squander six break points. He was made to pay for his missed chances as Davydenko took the ensuing tiebreak 8-6.

Richard Gasquet was forced to battle from a set down against Juan Ignacio Chela before clinching his place in the next round. The ninth-seeded Frenchman looked to be heading for an early exit after a sluggish opening set but he eventually found a way past his equally erratic opponent to set up a second-round clash with Blaz Kavcic.

Nicolas Almagro is one win away from breaking into the world's top ten after battling past Pablo Andujar 7-5 7-6(1) to earn a third-round berth. In another second-round clash, seventh seed Gael Monfils put on a spirited display to come from a set behind to defeat Robin Haase 3-6 7-6(3) 6-2.

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