Estroil : British Davis Cup player Kyle Edmund won his second match of the season on clay as he defeated Spanish specialist Daniel Gimeno-Traver 6-3, 7-5 on Tuesday to reach the second round of the Estoril Open.
Edmund, ranked 89th, earned a clash with French third seed Benoit Paire after his victory in 87 minutes on the Portuguese clay.
The 21-year-old rushed off to a 5-0 lead, with Gimeno-Traver recovering to 3-5 before losing the set. Edmund faced more of a challenge in the second set, but broke at 5-5 before serving out for a place in the second round.
"I only started on clay last week and think I played a good match," Edmund said. "I felt I've gotten better from last week to now.
"I'm pleased with my performance, though my forehand went away for part of the second set. Once I adjusted and got it back, things went well."
Edmund will be facing Paire for the first time on the ATP Tour after beating the French player ranked 21st in a Challenger last season on hardcourt.
"He is a tough opponent who can give you winners from any part of the court and can take control of the rhythm. But I'm looking forward to giving it a good go. There is no pressure on me," added Edmund.
Unseeded Paul-Henri Mathieu of France inflicted more home pain, beating local hope Gastao Elias 6-3, 6-4 as the president of the country watched from the stands.
"It was great to win in two sets, I didn't know until just before the match that the president would be watching," Mathieu, a semi-finalist nine years ago, said.
"Facing a player from the home country is never easy -- especially in the first round. He came to the match with great confidence after winning a Challenger last weekend."
Mathieu will next line up on Thursday against compatriot and friend Gilles Simon as the top seed makes his start after a bye.
The 59th-ranked Mathieu won their first four meetings, with Simon claiming victory the last time they played four years ago at Wimbledon.
Spain's Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, the only seed playing on the second day, advanced over German Michael Berrer 6-3, 7-6 (7/3), while Brazil's Rogerio Dutra Silva eliminated Benjamin Becker of Germany 6-4, 6-1.
Second seed and 2015 finalist Nick Kyrgios prepared to turn 21 on Wednesday, putting in a practice session as he enters his first clay match of the pre-Roland Garros season.
