Holder David Ferrer beat little-known Dutchman Jesse Huta Galung 6-2, 7-5 in a rain-interrupted match to reach the second round of the Den Bosch Open on Monday.
The Spanish third seed was briefly troubled by the world No. 147 as he struggled to find his rhythm on center court.
“I had the feeling that I could have won this match but I was not sharp enough at the right moments. I need to learn to take my chances,” Huta Galung said.
Ferrer will next face compatriot Oscar Hernandez, who beat Austria’s Daniel Koellerer 6-3, 6-2.
In the women’s event, holder Tamarine Tanasugarn of Thailand ousted the Czech Republic’s Barbora Zahlavova Strycova 6-1, 6-3.
Tamarine will next take on another Czech, Iveta Benesova, who beat Italian Mara Santangelo 6-2, 6-3.
Local favorite and wild card entrant Michaella Krajicek, who won the tournament in 2006 but has been troubled more recently by injuries, defeated Italy’s Sara Errani 6-4, 6-2.
“I played really good and I’m totally emotional from it. I am super happy that I can show it again here,” Krajicek told Dutch TV.
Third seed Flavia Pennetta of Italy beat Taiwan’s Chan Yung-jan 6-4, 6-2 while sixth seed Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia defeated Roberta Vinci 7-6 (7/2), 6-4.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY STAFF WRITER
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