David Ferrer has progressed to round two of the 2014 Australian Open courtesy of a straight-sets victory over Alejandro Gonzalez.
A 6-3 6-4 6-4 triumph means that third seed Ferrer has now won all nine of his opening-round matches in Melbourne since losing a five-set epic to David Nalbandian in 2005.
Gonzalez broke Ferrer five times, but he was unable to hang onto his own serve on eight occasions.
The Colombian only made 57% of first serves and won just seven of 28 points behind his second.
Ferrer, who hit 33 winners and 30 unforced errors, was sublime at the net, taking 18 of 22 points.
He will face Adrian Mannarino in round two after the Frenchman beat Steve Johnson 3-6 6-3 6-0 5-7 6-4.