Rafael Nadal continued his comeback from a long-term knee injury with a straight set victory over Joao Sosa in the Brazil Open, while Roger Federer eased into the next round of the ABN Amro World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam.
Nadal, who won the Brazil Open in 2005 in his only other previous appearance in the tournament, suffered a disappointing defeat in the final of the VTR Open to Horacio Zeballos in Chile Sunday, but showed little signs of trouble against Sousa, completing a 6-3, 6-4 victory on the clay courts in Sao Paulo.
The Spaniard next faces Carlos Berlocq in the quarterfinals, after the Argentine got the better of Albert Ramos 7-6 (7), 6-4.
Nicolas Almagro also entered the quarters with a 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-2 win over Paul Capdeville to setup a meeting with Argentine veteran David Nalbandian, who beat Guido Pella 6-4, 6-2.
Meanwhile, in Rotterdam, Federer cruised past wild card Thiemmo De Bakker 6-3, 6-4 in just over an hour, and will now take on Frenchman Julien Benneteau.
"It's always good when you start the tournament late, to start strong," Federer said. "If you want to win the tournament, you need to win five matches in five days.
"So it's good to save energy. You relax a little bit once you reach the second or third round. I'm really happy to be back in Rotterdam and starting the tournament so well."
Juan Martin Del Potro also progressed with a 7-6 (5), 6-3 win over Ernests Gulbis.
"It was really close in the first set," Del Potro said. "I had the opportunity to win in the tie-break and I did. Then in the second set, I improved my game. I feel really glad to get through as he's a very difficult opponent for me."
Del Potro next faces Finn Jarko Nieminen, who defeated German qualifier Matthias Bachinger 6-3, 5-7, 6-3, while Marcos Baghdatis picked up an impressive victory over in-form Frenchman Richard Gasquet 6-4, 6-4.
