Intro:

Rafa Nadal, David Ferrer, Rio Open in Brazil

Script:

Top-seeded Rafael Nadal defeated Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil at the Rio Open on Tuesday in his first clay-court match of the season.

And he was at his dogged best winning this long rally in the first set which he went on to take 6-4.

It didn't take him long to wrap up the second set either as he took the match 6-4, 6-1 and plays Pablo Carrena-Busta in round two on Thursday.

Second-seeded David Ferrer also advanced in the combined ATP-WTA event, defeating Spanish compatriot Daniel Gimeno-Traver

Ferrer made it tough going for his opponent in the first set which he duly went on to take 6-4.

And it was a similar story in the second as Ferrer closed it out 6-3

He'll face qualifier Thiemo De Bakker of the Netherlands on Wednesday.