Ninth seed Richard Gasquet has progressed safely on day two of the Australian Open with a straight-sets victory over Albert Montanes.

The Frenchman looked strong from the outset but Montanes fought hard in the first set, forcing Gasquet to produce his best tennis on the back foot.

Montanes trailed 5-3 in the opener but fought back to rattle off four straight games, coming back to take the first set and leave the Spaniard dejected.

Gasquet got his trademark backhand working to great effect in the second set, sending Montanes up and down the court to secure a two-set advantage by six games to two.

Montanes tired considerably as Gasquet came close to a third-set sweep before clinching his place in the next round on serve.

Gasquet goes through to play Alejandro Falla of Colombia in the second round at Melbourne Park later this week.