Spaniard David Ferrer wasted little time in reaching the Monte Carlo Masters third round with a 6-2 6-3 win over Russian Marat Safin.

The Masters Cup finalist, seeded fifth, next meets Serbian Janko Tipsarevic and faces a possible quarter-final encounter with Rafael Nadal, who will play Croatian Mario Ancic later on Wednesday.

Ferrer broke twice in the first set and recovered from a break down in the second before wrapping it up in 79 minutes when former world number one Safin sent a forehand long.

Safin's compatriot Nikolay Davydenko held off a late challenge by Italian Simone Bolelli to go through with a 6-2 7-6 win.

Davydenko, who retired from the Estoril Open final last Sunday with a leg injury, jumped on a 4-1 lead in the second set but Bolelli raised his game to level at 4-4.

Davydenko double-faulted on his first match point but converted his second opportunity with a fine passing shot.

"When I was 4-1 up he started to play so good that I had no choice but to go for a tiebreak," he said.

"I practiced for two hours yesterday and I was OK," added Davydenko, who retired from last week's Estoril Open final against Federer with a leg injury.

"I have a physiotherapist who is giving me treatment here. My legs are okay."

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Reuters