Ferrer battles past Seppi

Valencia - Top-seeded David Ferrer has powered his way past Andreas Seppi 6-3, 7-5 to reach the second round of the Valencia Open on Wednesday.

The Spaniard's consistent first-serve accuracy and powerful forehand returns proved too strong for his Italian opponent.

Ferrer will play countryman Fernando Verdasco next.

Earlier, Pablo Andujar caused the first major upset of the tournament by defeating second-seeded Tomas Berdych.

Andujar, whose hometown is Valencia, downed the Czech player 6-3, 6-2 in 72 minutes, three days after Berdych had won the Stockholm Open, his 10th ATP title.

"It was a very special match for me, here in Valencia, with my friends and family cheering me on," Andujar said. "I tried to be as solid as I could, then when I had a chance I tried to hit the ball as hard as I could because I know Tomas is more powerful than me. Had I returned tame balls, he would have destroyed me."

Third-seeded Andy Murray overcame early problems with his first serve to beat Jurgen Melzer of Austria 6-3, 6-3, with coach Amelie Mauresmo watching from the stands.

Murray, who won this tournament in 2009 and claimed his 30th tour title when he rallied to defeat Ferrer at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna on Sunday, hit 10 aces past Melzer.

He will play Fabio Fognini of Italy in the second round.

Brazil's Tomas Bellucci beat Mikhail Youzhny 7-5, 6-3 and will next face Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain, who defeated Santiago Giraldo 6-4, 6-4.

Results from the third day of the ATP Valencia Open on Wednesday (x denotes seeding):

First round
Pablo Andujar (ESP) bt Tomas Berdych (CZE x2) 6-3, 6-2
Andy Murray (GBR x3) bt Jurgen Melzer (AUT) 6-3, 6-3
Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) bt Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) 7-5, 6-3
David Ferrer (ESP x1) bt Andreas Seppi (ITA) 6-3, 7-5
Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP x6) bt Santiago Giraldo (COL) 6-4, 6-4

Second round
Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) bt Feliciano Lopez (ESP x4) 6-4, 6-4