Second seed Tomas Berdych has been sent packing by Pablo Cuevas in the first round of the China Open in Beijing.

The Czech, who was a strong contender for the title following his victory in Shenzhen, was beaten 6-4 6-4 by his Uruguayan opponent.

Both players aimed for a quick start by creating six break points between them in the opening two games, but neither could convert.

The deadlock was eventually broken when Cuevas snatched Berdych's serve on his second break point of the seventh game to give himself a crucial lead in what was otherwise a tight set.

Cuevas maintained his lead to take the first set, but the match remained close with both players holding serve well in the early stages of the second.

With the set at 4-4, Cuevas struck with a break point, putting himself in position to serve for the match, which he was able to do without dropping a point in the next game.