Davydenko books a place at Estoril Open

Nikolay Davydenko has booked his place in the second round of the Estoril Open after a 6-1 7-6 victory over Andrey Golubev.

The second-seeded Russian who claimed the trophy in 2003 and lost last year's final to Roger Federer and the 2006 edition to David Nalbandian, feared a first-round exit after trailing 4-1 in the second set despite sweeping the first.

"I'm just happy to be out of the first round," said the player who missed several months this season with a heel injury and only returned to action in April. "I was afraid at 4-1 down.

"I'm only just back on court and I'm not playing my game yet. My brother (coach) told me that I really need more training."

Davydenko, ranked 11th, has played in only five tournaments this year but won his eight 2009 match against four defeats through the narrow victory.

He next faces a second-round battle after improving his Estoril mark to 14-5 as he plays 2001 champion Juan Carlos Ferrero.

Third seed David Ferrer broke his career duck at the event earning his first victory in three starts with a 6-4 6-1 defeat of Daniel Gimeno-Traver.

Spain's number 14 who spent a long time in the top ten, secured the success six years after his last attempt at the Estadio Nacional.

He was joined in the second round by French eighth seed Florent Serra, who put out Argentine Diego Junqueira 6-4, 2-6, 6-3.

Ferrer broke five times against the number 79 Gimeno-Traver as the pair played their first-ever match over 71 minutes.

Serra's four aces against the 73rd-ranked Junquiera were outweighed by six doubt faults as the seed escaped with a win after just over two hours.