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There was little to separate Murray and Lopez during the opening set at a sun-drenched Monte Carlo Country Club, and both players traded blows with confident service games early on.

But Murray edged the opening set after some wayward shot-making from Lopez in the tie break, which Murray won to five.

The Scot started the second in fine form and broke immediately to take an early advantage, which he was able to extend with a further break in the seventh game.

At 5-2 up, Murray looked certain to claim his place in the second round and, despite a brief flicker of doubt as Lopez broke back in the next game, he held his nerve and eventually took the set 6-4.

"I did not make too many mistakes. I could have returned a bit better, could have moved forward a bit better," Murray said.

"On clay, you've got to play more patiently, find the balance between when to go for your shots and when to move back.

"So I tried to keep the ball high and deep. I played solid that's all I had to do."

The victory sets up a second round meeting with Filippo Volandri after the Italian beat Nicolas Mahut 6-2 6-3 and a potential third round meeting with world number three Novak Djokovic.

Eurosport