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French ninth seed Richard Gasquet, who reached the final of the 2006 Toronto Masters, enjoyed a first round victory over Michael Llodra 6-2 4-6 6-3.

On a day when rain interrupted proceedings on the outskirts of the city, two more Europeans advanced.

Swiss ninth seed Stanislas Wawrinka beat Italian Simone Bolelli 6-4 7-6 (4) while recovering Nicolas Kiefer, back after wrist problems over the last two seasons, defeated American Mardy Fish 7-5 7-6 (4).

Gasquet lost to Roger Federer for the title in 2006 when the event was last played in Toronto, which alternates with Montreal each year.

"I'm happy to win this match but it's difficult to win against a friend," said Gasquet.

"He was not a Spanish guy so it's OK for me to play three sets," said the 12th ranked Gasquet, who has slipped from the top ten this season.

"Michael has a big serve and he tried to play one or two strokes to win the point. I tried to fight but I'm happy to have gotten through in the wind."

Wawrinka won his 31st match of the season a week after disappointment at his home event in Gstaad. The Swiss with two ATP finals in 2008 had never faced Bolelli from Bologna.

Kiefer first beat Fish in 2001 and made it 2-0 seven years after their only previous meeting.

14th seed Fernando Gonzalez also moved on with an impressive 6-2 6-1 annihilation of Julien Benneteau.

12th seed Tommy Robredo had to edge a tight first set against local boy Frederic Niemeyer before cruising to a 7-6 (4) 6-1 victory.

Sean Fay & / AFP