Sao Paulo, Brazil – Fifth seed Carlos Berlocq was an easy round winner Tuesday at the $475,300 Brasil Open.
The Argentine Berlocq, a runner-up in Chile two weeks ago, blew past France's Eric Prodon 6-4, 6-0 at this clay-court event.
Another first-round win came for Spanish qualifier Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo, who outlasted Portuguese Rui Machado 6-3, 1-6, 6-2 on Day 2 in Sao Paulo.
This week's No. 1 seed is defending champion Nicolas Almagro of Spain, who captured his second Brasil Open title last year by besting Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov in the finale.
The 2012 Brasil Open champion will collect $85,800.
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