Federer Edges Seppi to Advance in Monte Carlo; Nadal in Action Today

Federer surrendered a break of serve in both sets before winning each in tie-breaks. In the second-set Federer let slip two match points at 6-4 in the tie-break before sealing the win.

It was tough. Conditions were quick," Federer said. "A lot of bad bounces. My opponent was playing tough. He already had three matches in his legs and it was my first. So I thought it was, you know, just a tough opening match for me. I'm happy to have come through, especially in straight sets. To win tiebreakers is always a good feeling. So I'm happy and I'm looking forward to the next one."

Federer, who lost to Rafael Nadal in the 2006 final, improved to a 15-2 record on the year. After winning four ATP Masters Series titles each year for the past two years, Federer is searching for his first Masters Series shield of 2007 following surprise early-round defeats in Indian Wells and Miami to Guillermo Canas.

After squandering five match points in a dramatic 26-point, second-set tie-break, Frenchman and local favorite Richard Gasquet recovered beat Fernando Verdasco 7-5, 6-7(12) 7-6(3). The 3-hour, 20-minute win puts Gasquet into a second-round meeting with Dominik Hrbaty.

Spaniard David Ferrer crushed Frenchman Gilles Simon 6-3, 6-1. Ferrer seemed untroubled by the shoulder injury that forced him to withdraw from his hometown event last week in Valencia. He next plays Frenchman Julien Benneteau.

Czech Tomas Berdych, seeded tenth, had an easy passage to the second round. Berdych was leading last week's Valencia champion Nicolas Almagro 5-0 when the Spaniard was forced to retire with a back injury. Berdych next plays Benjamin Becker, a 7-6(4), 6-2 winner over Thomas Johansson.

Former World No. 1 Marat Safin never recovered from blowing four match points in the second set tie-break falling to Belgian Kristof Vliegen 0-6, 7-6(8), 6-4 in two hours and 26 minutes.