Home comfort for Nalbandian

David Nalbandian started his title defence at the Copa Telmex with a 6-3 6-3 win over Nicolas Lapentti.

Champion begins defence with easy win

David Nalbandian started his title defence at the Copa Telmex in Buenos Aires with a routine 6-3 6-3 victory over Ecuador's Nicolas Lapentti. Ranked number 10 in the world, the Argentine converted four of his five break chances while holding serve on Lapentti's lone opportunity to break at the claycourt event. The top-seed, who captured the title last year with a three-set victory over countryman Jose Acasuso, has now beaten Lapentti in each of the four matches between the pair. Two other hometown favourites, Brian Dabul and wild-card Juan Ignacio Chela, also booked their place in the second round. Dabul staved off three match points in the second set before overcoming Nicolas Devilder of France 5-7 7-5 6-4 in a two-hour, 35-minute marathon. The Frenchman was left to rue seven double faults to just four aces and he also missed on 12-of-15 break chances in the loss. Chela needed just 69 minutes to see off Spain's Alberto Martin 6-3 6-2 and move into the second round, where he will face either Potito Starace of Italy or third seed Tommy Robredo. Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero ruined the chance of a sweep for Argentina with a 6-3 6-4 win over Agustin Calleri. The former world number one is looking to build on a quarter-final appearance at Costa do Sauipe, Brazil last week.