Nicolas Almagro advanced through to round three of the Madrid Open at the expense of fellow Spaniard Marcel Granollers this evening courtesy of a 6-3 7-6 victory on the controversial blue clay.
Both players held their opening service games in what was a tense start to the encounter.
However, Almagro was soon making inroads by opening up a two-game margin courtesy of a break of serve.
The 26-year-old pressed home that advantage by serving out to win the set 6-3.
World number 26 Granollers provided greater resistance in the next set as he matched his compatriot all the way to a breaker.
He failed to hold his nerve at this point though, losing the first two points on his serve to leave Almagro on the verge of winning the tie. He did just that on his service to clinch the breaker and the match 7-3.
Almagro will now take on another Spanish player in the form of David Ferrer, who defeated Radek Stepanek earlier today.
Liam Apicella
