David Ferrer has edged into round three of the Rome Masters with a three-set victory over fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco.

Verdasco, who is ranked 53rd in the world, was on top during a tight opening set and broke twice to take it 7-5.

Both players exchanged breaks midway through the second before fourth seed Ferrer rallied to level the contest 7-5.

There was little to separate the two players again in the third, but 2010 runner-up Ferrer had enough to find an elusive break and close out the match 6-3.

Ferrer's reward for beating Verdasco is a third-round encounter with Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber.