Gilles Simon defeated Guillermo García-Lopez in straight sets to progress to the third round of the Madrid Masters this evening.
The world number 13 recorded a comfortable 6-4, 6-3 win over the Spaniard to set up a tie against Janko Tipsarevic.
Simon held all of his service games to wrap up victory in an hour and a half. He broke his opponent's serve in the first set at 2-2 to claim the early advantage.
The Frenchman broke again in the second set at 3-3, and it proved to be the difference. Garcia-Lopez had his own chance to break one game later, but squandered the opportunity.
Garcia-Lopez fought tooth and nail to remain in the competition with the scores at 3-5, but Simon secured the break point at the fourth time of asking.