Defending champion Kei Nishikori has eased into the Barcelona Open third round with a straight-sets victory over Teymuraz Gabashvili.
The top seed opened up a 3-0 lead early in the opening set and he was able to keep steady after that to take it 6-3.
Russian top seed Gabashvili put up more resistance in the second, but Nishikori found a decisive break to go 3-2 up before closing out the contest 6-3 6-4.
The Japanese defeated Colombia's Santiago Giraldo in last year's final to clinch what was his seventh ATP title.
Written by
Jack Prescott
Jack Prescott
